UPDATE: Suspended RBM officials hit the road

RICHARDS Bay Minerals (RBM) on Wednesday confirmed the termination of employment of five top level officials who were suspended last month.

‘We can confirm that Rio Tinto’s investigation into potential breaches of its code of conduct announced last month has been concluded,’ an RBM spokesperson said on Wednesday.

‘Five employees have left the business.’

While the spokesperson would still not confirm the names or positions of the employees given the boot, the Zululand Observer was told by a reliable source that among them is Fundi Dlamini, General Manager of Corporate Communications and Communities as well as two other managers, one of them involved with procurement, as well as two superintendents from two departments.

The ZO reported that it was believed the suspensions, which took place on 25 August, were as a result of possible irregularities with regards to a transport tender.

‘The outcomes for the employees involved are a confidential matter,’ the spokesperson continued.

‘RBM is committed to ensuring all employees act in accordance with Rio Tinto’s code of conduct, which requires the highest standards of ethical behaviour.

‘We will continue to engage with employees, suppliers and the communities within which we operate in an honest, lawful and respectful way.’

The same spokesperson at the time of the suspensions confirmed that the investigation was centred around ‘internal processes unrelated to community unrest’ but that should any breaches were found, ‘they would be treated seriously and addressed in a transparent, consistent and respectful way’.The suspensions came only days before the murder of HR Manager for RBM, Ronny Nzimande who was gunned down in the driveway of his Richards Bay home.

RBM has stressed there is no link between the suspensions and his death.

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