More Transnet executives will be suspended, says Molefe

TRANSNET chairperson Popo Molefe has promised that more executives and senior managers will be 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 have left Transnet will face criminal charges and have civil action instituted against them to recover misappropriated million.

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.

“This suggests that we cannot place reliance on these people,” he said.

According to Molefe, the suspensions will be to ensure that the three do not interfere with evidence or potential evidence.

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

The committee has 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 company 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 that 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 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.

“That is the extent of the trust deficit,” said Molefe.

ANC MP Ezekiel Kekana said he was shocked and highly disturbed to find that some Transnet employees, among them senior managers, did not know about the PFMA and cannot interpret SCM policies.

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

Godi asked for the time Transnet needed to turn its state around but Molefe said they should be given time.

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

“All of us must have zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.

Godi said Transnet’s biggest challenge was to stop the looting and ensure the money it generated was used in the best interest of the state.

“We need people who work in the public interest always, and have revolutionary morality,” he said.

We need people who work in the public interest