https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

NUM calls for removal of Optimum business rescue practitioners

12th March 2018

By: Megan van Wyngaardt

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for the removal of business rescue practitioners (BRPs) at the Optimum coal mine, as it claims that their appointment was unlawful.

The NUM has approached Kruger & Co Attorneys to represent it and its 500 members at the mine to set aside the resolution taken by the directors of Optimum to appoint Johan Klopper and Kurt Knoop as BRPs.

The union claimed that their appointment was contrary to the provisions of the Companies Act of 2008.

“Everything they do now is unlawful and they are aware of this, and that they are not independent and were appointed as BRPs in eight other Gupta-linked companies during the exact same period as Optimum’s business rescue proceedings.

“Our client is seeking the appointment of a truly independent business rescue practitioner,” said Kruger & Co Attorneys’ Ruann Kruger.

He further claimed that Optimum is being denied applications to open a bank account from major financial institutions owing to the alleged ties between Knoop, Klopper and the shareholders of Gupta-linked companies.

Without a bank account, the mine currently cannot remain operational which puts the income of hundreds of mine employees and various contractors at risk.

“Therefore, the mineworkers are urgently seeking to approach the court for the appropriate relief to remove the current BRPs and to appoint alternative BRPs who will act independently and are not linked to Gupta shareholders or companies,” said Kruger.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Online Managing Editor

Article Enquiry

Email Article

Save Article

Feedback

To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here

Latest News

An image of Omnia's building
Omnia delivers strong performance in challenging period
8th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Showroom

AirNox Pty Ltd
AirNox Pty Ltd

AirNox (Pty) Ltd is a level 1 BBBEE manufacturer of complete AdBlue® solutions for operators of SCR diesel engines and AUS40 across South Africa...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Aluminium Federation of South Africa
Aluminium Federation of South Africa

The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA), is the voice of the South African aluminium industry.

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (05/06/2026)
5th June 2026 By: Martin Creamer
Magazine round up | 05 June 2026
Magazine round up | 05 June 2026
5th June 2026

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







301

sq:0.049 0.474s - 140pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now