Themba Hlongwane, formerly a high-ranking director at Botha Mine, found himself entangled in a complex legal struggle after being barred from his position.
In a significant move, he chose to withdraw his appeal case from the Supreme Court (Case Number SC3/25) in favor of starting fresh at the High Court under Case Number HCH5865/24.
Known as Themba, he is facing mounting legal challenges and has pulled out all the stops in his efforts to fight the dismissal from Botha Mine. Allegations of fraud continue to overshadow his reputation and former position at the mine. His decision to withdraw his appeal was a calculated risk, hoping that a fresh approach in the High Court would give him a stronger chance of reinstatement.
However, the High Court did not offer the leniency he had expected. The judge directed him to return within 30 days with supporting evidence, placing immense pressure on him to gather documentation and testimonies to bolster his case.
Despite rumors of a secretive effort to remove him from the mine, Hlongwane is still grappling with serious fraud and kidnapping charges. His current tactic involves presenting a rescission of judgment order from the High Court, which provided a technical victory and allowed him to challenge the prior decision. But this victory only opened the door for further litigation—it did not automatically restore him to his director role at Botha Mine. The court made it clear: he must still substantiate his case.
With the ongoing threat of fraud charges, Hlongwane’s hopes of reclaiming his position at Botha Mine appear increasingly uncertain. His story serves as a cautionary tale of ambition, legal warfare, and the unpredictable nature of the corporate world, where a single misstep can lead to dramatic consequences.
As of now, Botha Mine maintains that Hlongwane remains barred from the premises. Additionally, Angela Mpofu continues to be suspended pending further investigation.
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