Suspected manganese poisoning victims were allegedly offered R800 000 each to undergo further testing while their employer refused to recognise the attorney representing them, a labour department that is investigating several cases of manganese poisoning heard on Monday. Richard Spoor, an attorney representing 10 workers who have been diagnosed with manganism...[said] Assmang had attempted to influence black workers affected by manganism. "They have gone so far as to hire...(traditional leaders) to pressurise them into accepting deals," said Spoor...Assmang's attorney, Willem le Roux, said his client denied the allegations "of influence" being applied to the employees, saying that Spoor "makes statements for the benefit of the media".