South Africa’s Minerals Minister Susan Shabangu was said to be incandescent with rage last week over her perception that Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) had kept her out of the loop in deciding to close two mines, mothball four shafts, sell the Union mine and retrench 14 000 people. But after Amplats CEO Chris Griffith explained to her that selective disclosure ahead of a full public announcement would have flouted both Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act as well as Johannesburg Stock Exchange rules, the pair kissed and made up and promised to share future love letters with all and sundry.