More Transnet executives to be suspended, charged and disciplined, says Molefe

TRANSNET chairperson Popo Molefe has promised there will be more executives and senior managers suspended at the company, following the notice of intention to suspend, issued to chief executive Siyabonga Gama.

Gama, chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyane and supply chain manager Lindiwe Mdletshe, were this week notified of the company’s intention to suspend them.

“There will be more who will be suspended, charged and disciplined,” Molefe said.

Molefe warned that officials who left Transnet would face criminal charges and have civil court action instituted against them to recover misappropriated millions.

Transnet is working with the Special Investigating Unit, the Hawks and hopes that the state capture commission of inquiry headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will uncover more corruption, according to Molefe.

He said the trio’s looming suspensions followed three reports including one from the National Treasury that showed executives and senior managers were involved in ignoring provisions of the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and Transnet’s supply chain management (SCM) policies.

According to Molefe, the suspensions will be to ensure that Gama, Jiyane and Mdletshe do not interfere with evidence or potential evidence.

”We are working on unearth- ing more malfeasance,” he said.

Molefe was speaking after the Transnet board and executives meeting with Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) at the entity’s head offices in Joburg.

The committee called on Transnet’s board to act on any implicated individuals without fear, favour or prejudice.

Scopa chairperson Themba Godi warned Transnet bosses that the entity could be heading in the direction of troubled national carrier SAA, which he described as under siege from employees.

He complained that Transnet employees told committee members they were instructed to hide certain tender documents from them but did not know why.

Molefe later expressed the shocking state in which he found Transnet following the interim board’s appointment by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan in May.

He said there was a breakdown of systems, internal controls and financial management.

Molefe described some of Transnet’s 65 000 employees as operating as members of a syndicate sworn to secrecy.

He said even when he signs documents for consideration by Gordhan, he puts a disclaimer that they are based on what he has been advised by management.

Transnet executive Gert de Beer said procurement in the entity was in intensive care and there was no other way of putting it.

Molefe said a detailed diagnosis was required and then a plan would be drafted.