Vaalkrantz workers on the brink of suicide
“A lot of people lost a lot of things. People were kicked out of their homes. They don’t have food for their children, and can’t afford school fees. Some lost their cars. The town has suffered a lot,” said Mrs Bosman.
The dubious business practices of Dundee’s infamous De Beer family drove financially ruined and emotionally traumatised Vryheiders to the brink of suicide.
The De Beers and their numerous businesses have been publicly linked to suspected Ponzi scheme, Coin-It, which is currently under investigation by the Hawks and the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA).
At an arbitration hearing held at the Vryheid Department of Labour last Thursday, Commissioner, Bheki Khumalo heard from Vaalkrantz Coal employees about the suffering they endured which led families to split up, some to take to the bottle and others to consider taking their own lives.
The arbitration follows an application to the CCMA by Vaalkrantz staff for the payment of six months’ outstanding salaries.
Testifying before Khumalo, Elsa Bosman paused several times to regain her composure as her voice began to crack with emotion. She hastily wiped away tears, took deep breaths and continued to describe the devastation she witnessed.
Read the full story in the Vryheid Herald of January 31.
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