Khulubuse Zuma shifts blame for mine collapse

President Jacob Zuma's nephew Khulubuse Zuma has denied blame for the collapse of Aurora's Pamodzi mines, The Star reported on Tuesday.

"My role as the director of Aurora was that of a non-executive chairperson. I was therefore not responsible for the day-to-day management and running affairs of Aurora," he reportedly said in an affidavit filed before the High Court in Pretoria.

A bid by the joint liquidators of Aurora to hold the directors and managers of the insolvent company personally liable for the collapse of the Pamodzi mines will start in court on Tuesday.

This matter was delayed following the late filing of papers by Nelson Mandela's grandson Zondwa Mandela and Zuma.

The claim against Aurora managers and directors sought by liquidators amounts to about R1.6 billion.

Aurora Empowerment Systems is the parent company appointed by Pamodzi liquidators to manage the Springs and Orkney mines.

However, the directors of Aurora allegedly destroyed both mines through looting and mismanagement.

Zuma said liquidators should be gunning for Mandela, Sheshile Thulani Ngubane as well as father and son team Sulliman and Fazel Bhana.

"I reasonably relied on information relayed to me by them."

Zuma reportedly denied claims he and other directors stripped the mine of its assets and pocketed proceeds from the sale of gold.

"The loss of Pamodzi assets was simply due to criminal activities and illegal mining by individuals commonly known as zama zamas," he said.