Speaker, Cope supports the call by the National Union of Mine Workers and Solidarity, for Enver Motala the lead liquidator, who was charged with winding up Pamodzi Mines, to step down because of the social crisis caused at the mines which is a result of his failed efforts.
Cope also supports the demands for Aurora to be taken to the Labour Court for its failure to pay the salaries of its employees for the past 18 months, leaving them utterly stranded. The situation that has developed is an absolute travesty of justice. The government, self-proclaimed champion of the workers and the poor, has done nothing.
Reports suggest that R4 million's worth of pension and provident fund contributions deducted were not paid over to the relevant funds and no pay- as-you-earn or unemployment insurance payments were made to the authorities. Life cover policies were also cancelled as a result of nonpayment of contributions by Aurora.
Both the Department of Labour and the Department of Mineral Resources have failed to act against the company, which is headed by politically connected individuals. Workers have been literally mugged by the employer.
Furthermore, due to the neglect of management, the problem of acid water has been exacerbated in the mines, and assets of the mines have allegedly been stripped and sold off to pay the liquidators. As the government looks the other way, the rich continue to be rich, while the poor workers are left destitute. It's a disgrace, Speaker. [Applause.]