Chamber of Mines calls for urgent investigation into RBM exec murder

Chamber of Mines press statement

The Chamber of Mines was concerned to hear of the murder of Mr Ronny Nzimande, human resources manager at Richards Bay Minerals, a company that has been a long-standing member of the Chamber of Mines. Mr Nzimande was shot outside his home on Tuesday 30 August. The leadership of the industry conveys deepest condolences to his family and friends.

While the Chamber has no firsthand knowledge of what the motive might have been, it has been reported that there has been ongoing conflict over job appointment processes in the KwaZulu-Natal town where RBM is a significant employer. A youth leader involved in a jobseekers' committee, along with a relative of his, was murdered four weeks previously. Further, we understand that several other company executives have been threatened and intimidated.

The Chamber would naturally wish to see the perpetrators being brought to justice, and calls on the SAPS to apply their energies to this end with all diligence. We further call on all parties to observe the law, and address any concerns they may have through legitimate channels.

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The situation in the town calls for more than this. There is a need to develop an understanding of the socio-economic dynamics behind these crimes, if indeed they are related. Circumstances of unemployment and other economic deprivation might tend to lead to conflict over access to scarce resources such as jobs. All involved need to ensure that recruitment processes are carried out fairly and are seen to be fair. And that the culture of violence and intimidation needs to be curtailed.