Readers’Views

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Transnet in crisis because cadres forced senior managers out

The article “Transnet woes place 35,000 coal jobs at risk” (September 17) refers. Another great cadre deployment outcome. Well done Pravin [Gordhan] — your cadres have instigated yet more calamitous destruction. The arrogant, abrasive management style of [Transnet CEO Portia] Derby and co, whereby they forced 500 senior managers who understood and knew Transnet’s business to take redundancy packages. You would think some cadre would start to see a pattern? — Patrick D on BusinessLIVE

A big part is due to lower coal prices. Demand is much, much lower. — Vis Dragon on BusinessLIVE

Never tough for know-it-all bankers

The article “Bankers warn of tough times ahead” (September 17) refers. Is that so? It doesn’t take a bunch of knowit-all bankers to tell 40-million South Africans that times are going to be tough. Of course, those same bankers will still take home multimillion-a-year packages and have holidays overseas with their families. It’s never tough for bankers! — On the beach on BusinessLIVE

When unbridled capitalism falls ...

The issue is who runs out of money first. We know that US social services will go bankrupt around 2030, and that the US is hopelessly bankrupt, albeit only technically for now. Trust in the mighty dollar is ebbing fast and the country can only run the presses and roll its treasuries for a couple more years before its interest payments sink it. And when the US goes belly up, the experiment with unbridled capitalism (that rapes nature for free, socialises costs and privatises profit) will finally be over. Then we can usher in a more naturebased, symbiotic form of capital, where we start to reward regeneration of the elements and preservation of all other species and biodiversity. And the Earth can start to breathe once more. — Bevan Jones on BusinessLIVE

No sympathy for uninsured drivers

The article “Happy resolution for one, but tow truck issue drags on” (September 17) refers. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the uninsured driver. It’s because of them that the rest of us pay high vehicle premiums.

— Art Vandelay on BusinessLIVE

Don’t spend what you don’t have

The Treasury’s exemption of Eskom and Transnet from cost-cutting rules refers. Maybe someone should explain to the ANC that they can’t credibly spend what they don’t have. The plummeting rand is a good indicator of such cretinous stupidity. South Africa is minutes away from a perfect storm. Taxpayers continue to leave. ANC “policy” has destroyed the economy. Infrastructure is falling around our ears. And the Treasury has to admit the fat cadres are out of control. I did not realise how embarrassed the ANC can make me feel of my adopted country.

The only good thing is that my adult children, long emigrated to Europe, say South Africa does not feature in the news. — Andrea Robertson on BusinessLIVE