MPs angry over Transnet presentation
PARLIAMENTARIANS revolted yesterday after being presented with a report into fraud and corruption at Transnet by the entity’s executives.
They accused the executives, including group chief executive officer Siyabonga Gama, of being implicated in fraud and corruption.
The MPs demanded that board chairperson Popo Molefe make the presentation as Transnet faced forensic investigations commissioned by the National Treasury, the Special Investigating Unit, and the Hawks.
This took place against the backdrop of Gama and other executives being given until the end of the week to give reasons why they should not be suspended and investigated.
Briefing the committee earlier, Gama said there were a lot of matters that Transnet was dealing with related to fraud, corruption or human resources.
However, eyebrows were raised when Gama asked chief audit executive Mmabatho Sukati to make the presentation as their last meeting had indicated discomfort to executives facing investigation reporting about themselves.
The DA’s Natasha Mazzone said it was incredible to receive a report from Gama, who was implicated in many allegations.
“I think Mr Molefe should be taking us through this interaction.
“Quite frankly, I don’t think that the group chief executive should be here given the fact the board gave him until end of week on why he should not be suspended,” she said.
Despite committee chairperson Lungi Mnganga-Gcabashe allowing a fiveminute break for Transnet to decide on who should make the presentation, MPs were adamant that Molefe should make the presentation.
Molefe said there was no intention that Gama should present.
He asked for guidance after MPs insisted they could not sit with people who have been implicated.
“We think that members of management team not implicated in any investigation, we should be able to call upon them to give detail on certain aspects of the report.
“We have been in office for 11 weeks and we hit the ground running because we had major problems dealing with audit under way,” he said.
The committee decided to ask the board to give a report on fraud and corruption at Transnet on another day.