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A mining contractor may lose his livelihood after Anglo American Platinum suspended his contract.
Lucas Selemale, owner of Sirologang Business Enterprise, a company contracted to remove rubble from Anglo American Platinum’s Amandelbult mine in Northam, Limpopo, has accused the mining giant of deliberately sabotaging his business by not lifting the suspension of his contract at the mine.
According to Selemale, his company was suspended after some of the mine’s employees put cables, which were not meant for disposal, into one of his trucks that was collecting rubble.
“They [Anglo American Platinum] stopped the truck [and found the cables]. It subsequently had a look at its own cameras and saw that it was their employees who were at fault and fired them. However, even after their disciplinary hearing was done, they did not lift my suspension or even bother to give me feedback,” Selemale said.
Selemale said that, since the suspension last November, he could not even use the trucks for other jobs because they were contracted to the mine and he was hoping the suspension would be lifted soon.
“I am facing bank repossessions and we are not even getting feedback from the mine.
“This is the last year of my three-year contract with them and there hasn’t been any work done so far,” he said.
Selemale also said he planned to take the company to court to have the suspension lifted. He has had to negotiate with lawyers to take over the case due to his limited finances.
“Even though I don’t have much money, I negotiated and they have agreed to take the case,” Selemale said.
Anglo American Platinum spokesperson Mpumi Sithole said the mine was still considering the matter.
“It has come to Anglo American Platinum’s attention that a series of incidents have occurred at its Amandelbult Mining Complex involving Sirologang Business Enterprise,” she said.
“Anglo American Platinum has reported these incidents to the relevant authorities and, as such, it is not possible for us to make any further comment at this time.
“Anglo American Platinum is considering its contractual and legal remedies and it will be communicating its decision to Sirologang Business Enterprise in due course.
“Anglo American Platinum cannot disclose the details of its contract with Sirologang as it is subject to confidentially between the parties,” Sithole said.
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