{"id":297104,"date":"2026-02-25T14:33:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/?p=297104"},"modified":"2026-02-25T14:51:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:51:51","slug":"breaking-news-ekapa-in-kimberley-goes-into-liquidation-amid-ongoing-search-for-trapped-miners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/noordkaapbulletin\/breaking-news-ekapa-in-kimberley-goes-into-liquidation-amid-ongoing-search-for-trapped-miners\/","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING NEWS | Ekapa in Kimberley goes into liquidation amid ongoing search for trapped miners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nkosikhona Lila, an official of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), confirmed today, Wednesday 25 February, that Ekapa Minerals Mine in Kimberley went into liquidation as from 12:00 today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No official statement from the company has been forthcoming. The sudden liquidation of the company, the union’s exclusion from the process, and the significant job losses and community impact, exacerbated by an ongoing rescue operation for trapped workers, are concerning, they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We were informed by an anonymous call about ongoing engagements between the company, the Department of Mineral Resources, and unions regarding the company’s liquidation. We were not officially informed by the company about the liquidation,” Lila said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nkosikhona Lila, an official of the National Union of Metalwokers South Africa (Numsa). PHOTO: Charn\u00e9 Kemp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Union officials arrived an hour after hearing the news but were locked out of the proceedings, despite being the majority union stakeholder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failing to communicate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The company has a history of “bashing” the union and failing to communicate as required by their recognition agreement, he claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Numsa anticipated this outcome due to Project 20, which involved initial 10% wage reductions escalating to 20%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September last year, 375 workers were laid off without proper pay (apparently only R3 500 was paid from previously deducted funds). A Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) application – a Section 189A retrenchment application – was initiated last year but remains unsuccessful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company failed to submit audited financial statements to the CCMA, leading the union to believe the company is not in a true financial crisis but rather involved in “maladministration” and internal sharing of funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/strong>Diamond market crisis far-reaching: Employees picket amid financial battles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the current liquidation, 380 workers were on layoff, and an additional 90 were dismissed for participating in a protected strike, which the company deemed unprotected. Numsa believes the labour court will rule it protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total workforce affected by this liquidation could exceed 1 000, rendering them jobless. This will have a devastating impact on the entire Kimberley community, which relies on the mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lila criticised the mine for extracting minerals without adequately developing Kimberley, comparing its underdeveloped state to major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waiting for next course of action<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Numsa is awaiting information from their shop stewards who are inside the meeting to determine their next course of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company is accused of withholding employee funds for years, abruptly claiming liquidation without paying current wages, and failing to address worker concerns despite union and labour department involvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lila states he has worked for the company for more than 18 years. During this entire period, the company has been deducting money from workers’ wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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