Mark Munroe was released on a R60,000 bail after being accused of calling back thousands of Impala employees, including those who are not part of essential services, to report for duty on Tuesday even before government relaxed lockdown regulations that saw mines granted permission to operate at 50% capacity.

The chairperson of the portfolio committee on Mineral Resources Sahlulele Luzipo said he did not believe Munroe acted alone and the company’s executives were in cahoots with him. He further called on the Department of Mineral Resources to investigate the possible abuse of a permit by Mark Munroe. “We expect the department to conduct such an investigation and act decisively against perpetrators, with a view of sending a strong message to everyone that permits are to be used strictly for the intended purpose and any deviation will not be tolerated,” Sahlulele Luzipo said.

Impala, in a statement, said it was cooperating with authorities. “Impala has to date, and continues to, undertake its operations in a legally compliant and responsible manner,” the mining house said. “Impala will fully cooperate with all the relevant authorities in relation to this matter and look forward to seeing the matter through to a conclusion in a conducive manner for all stakeholders.”