Pretoria - The directors of Aurora Empowerment Systems lost their bid to appeal a ruling that they are personally liable for Aurora gold mine debts on Friday.
The appeal was denied in the High Court in Pretoria.
Khulubuse Zuma and fellow Aurora directors Zondwa Mandela, Thulani Ngubani and Fazel and Solly Bhana on Thursday applied for leave to appeal against a damning judgment holding them personally liable for the destruction of the Aurora/Pamodzi gold mines that cost 5 300 workers their jobs.
In June the judge ruled in favour of the liquidators of Pamodzi Gold in terms of section 424 of the Companies Act, holding the directors, including financial directors Solly and Fazel Bhana, personally liable for all damage caused to the mine.
The liquidators estimate that the amount involved could be as high as R1.7bn.