"How to Steal a Gold Mine" book retells the full Aurora Mine story that left thousands destitute
It's a story of capture, massive deception, and devastating human consequences that are still felt today. And despite a litany of evidence of dishonesty, little has been done to bring the perpetrators to book. It's the story of Aurora Empowerment Systems - a black-owned, politically connected business - that in October 2009, made a bid to rescue the liquidated Pamodzi Gold mines. Former President Jacob Zuma's nephew, Khulubuse Zuma, his lawyer Michael Hulley and former President Nelson Mandela's grandson Zondwa Mandela, were listed as directors of Aurora. The company promised to turn the mines into a new business that would offer benefits to workers, while also expanding into Africa. Soon after the acquisition, the first cracks appeared. More than 5 000 workers and suppliers, who depended on their employment to keep themselves and their families alive, went unpaid. Over the next few years, Aurora-managed mines were stripped of assets, as illicit payments went to the families of the "connected", while workers starved. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Legal journalist Dianne Hawker, author of How to Steal a Gold Mine: The Aurora Story...
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