For a number of years, and particularly since the beginning of 2006, Mr Richard Spoor, a Nelspruit-based attorney, has been visiting communities in the mining areas of the Eastern Limb, promising them legal representation against the mining houses in the area.
Anglo Platinum has no objection to the communities seeking independent legal advice from Mr Spoor or any other attorney. However, where the company believes its legal position, its actions or its intentions are being misrepresented, or communities misinformed, it will intervene to protect its interests and those of the communities concerned. Misunderstandings can divide communities and increase tensions, leading to possible confrontation and violence.
In media articles he has authored or where he has been quoted, Mr Spoor has misrepresented Anglo Platinum’s actions and motives, including accusing it of bribery, corporate thuggery, waging war on communities and racism. Anglo Platinum, and African Rainbow Minerals Mining Consortium Ltd (ARM) with whom we share a joint venture partnership in the Modikwa mine, have therefore requested Mr Spoor to withdraw defamatory remarks he has made against these companies and to provide us with a written undertaking not to repeat these defamatory remarks. If Mr Spoor does not give us this undertaking on or before Monday 10 July 2006, we have informed him that we will seek an urgent interdict in the High Court to prevent him repeating this defamatory conduct.
This is not an attempt to prevent Mr Spoor from representing community members. We are seeking to ensure that information given to communities or the media is fair and accurate. We have therefore asked Mr Spoor to withdraw untrue and defamatory statements and to undertake in writing that he will not in future defame the companies or their executives.
The companies have reserved their rights to claim damages from Mr Spoor in respect of defamatory statements.
For further information, please contact
Simon Tebele
Head of Communications
(011) 373-6865 / 083 275 2751