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Trade union Solidarity today called on the judge in the court case against the former directors and managers of Aurora Empowerment Systems not to grant the latter’s leave to postpone court proceedings.
 
According to Solidarity General Secretary Gideon du Plessis, the respondents’ legal team confirmed to the trade union that four of the accused, namely Zondwa Mandela, Thulani Ngubani, and Suliman and Fazel Bhana had recently approached the court with an application for postponement. The case was scheduled for hearing in the High Court in Pretoria on 25 August. “This development doesn’t surprise us at all. Right at the outset of this lawsuit two and a half years ago, the accused did everything in their power to delay and undermine legal proceedings,” Du Plessis says.
 
Du Plessis is of the opinion that it would be an absolute waste of resources and time should the court grant this application for postponement. Moreover, it would impair the authority of law. “The rule of law must now prevail and the interests of the 5 300 former Pamodzi employees must now be served. They have already lost thousands in the form of lost earnings; their pensions have been reduced by half; and their dignity has been undeniably impaired,” Du Plessis says.
 
Du Plessis says the court should reject this and any further applications for postponement. “We wouldn’t be surprised if Mr Khulubuse Zuma, also an accused in the court case who is being represented by a different legal team, also lodges an application for postponement with the court. There is simply no valid reason for the court to grant further postponement of the trial especially as the accused’ legal teams have indicated as reason for the leave for postponement that their clients must first make sufficient funds available to cover their legal costs,” Du Plessis says.