FOR about 5000 families the liquidation of the now infamous Aurora mine on Tuesday could amount to too little too late.
The lives of others affected by the debacle have, in fact, changed forever - for the worst.
Aurora is owned by Zondwa Mandela (former president Nelson Mandela's grandson), Khulubuse Zuma and Michael Hulley (President Jacob Zuma's nephew and lawyer, respectively).
Shame on them.
In one of the worst abuses of workers in a democratic South Africa the group failed to pay the salaries of more than 5 000 workers at its Pamodzi mines in Orkney and Springs.
Month after month discredited liquidator Enver Motala gave the owners a lifeline, promising that an overseas investor would join Aurora and settle the salaries of its employees.
This lie kept the company alive for nearly two years.
The workers, some from outside the country, were starving. The mine was falling apart - there was no water or decent place for migrants to sleep.
One of their colleagues, Marius Ferreira, 52, of Ekurhuleni, could bear no longer. He committed suicide by drinking ant poison with the company owing him R170 000 in wages.
Ferreira had lost everything - house, two vehicles, household goods, retirement annuities and medical aid.
Mandela, Zuma and Hulley were in the meantime lapping it up. The well-fed Zuma could also donate a R1-million to the ANC.
The full-bellied Zuma also spent thousands of rands in tips at top joints in Durban.
Thanks to trade union Solidarity the fight for the workers never stopped.
The union was still claiming Ferreira's salary for his widow when the South Gauteng high court finally liquidated the mines.
Amid the gloom the union was in solidarity with the workers.
Now for the big spenders, owners who abandoned workers. Solidarity has already sent letters demanding the salary arrears for all workers.
And if Khulubuse could throw cash at the ANC they must surely be able to pay part the R4,6-million they owe the workers.
"We will continue to fight for everyone who needs our help," Solidarity said after Ferreira was buried.
We are inclined to shout: Viva, Solidarity, Viva!
It is now time for the liquidation order to throw the book at Mandela, Zuma and Hulley.
It is another opportunity for the judiciary to disprove claims that powerful people, or those with connections, can get away with murder.
Going after them will show that the lives of workers cannot be misused without repercussions.
Go after the Fat Cats
FOR about 5000 families the liquidation of the now infamous Aurora mine on Tuesday could amount to too little too late.
The lives of others affected by the debacle have, in fact, changed forever - for the worst.
Aurora is owned by Zondwa Mandela (former president Nelson Mandela's grandson), Khulubuse Zuma and Michael Hulley (President Jacob Zuma's nephew and lawyer, respectively).
Shame on them.
In one of the worst abuses of workers in a democratic South Africa the group failed to pay the salaries of more than 5 000 workers at its Pamodzi mines in Orkney and Springs.
Month after month discredited liquidator Enver Motala gave the owners a lifeline, promising that an overseas investor would join Aurora and settle the salaries of its employees.
This lie kept the company alive for nearly two years.
The workers, some from outside the country, were starving. The mine was falling apart - there was no water or decent place for migrants to sleep.
One of their colleagues, Marius Ferreira, 52, of Ekurhuleni, could bear no longer. He committed suicide by drinking ant poison with the company owing him R170 000 in wages.
Ferreira had lost everything - house, two vehicles, household goods, retirement annuities and medical aid.
Mandela, Zuma and Hulley were in the meantime lapping it up. The well-fed Zuma could also donate a R1-million to the ANC.
The full-bellied Zuma also spent thousands of rands in tips at top joints in Durban.
Thanks to trade union Solidarity the fight for the workers never stopped.
The union was still claiming Ferreira's salary for his widow when the South Gauteng high court finally liquidated the mines.
Amid the gloom the union was in solidarity with the workers.
Now for the big spenders, owners who abandoned workers. Solidarity has already sent letters demanding the salary arrears for all workers.
And if Khulubuse could throw cash at the ANC they must surely be able to pay part the R4,6-million they owe the workers.
"We will continue to fight for everyone who needs our help," Solidarity said after Ferreira was buried.
We are inclined to shout: Viva, Solidarity, Viva!
It is now time for the liquidation order to throw the book at Mandela, Zuma and Hulley.
It is another opportunity for the judiciary to disprove claims that powerful people, or those with connections, can get away with murder.
Going after them will show that the lives of workers cannot be misused without repercussions.