Transnet told to stop graft

Parliament’s watchdog on public account yesterday said it had instructed the Transnet board and management to curb graft at the state-owned company.

“The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has told the Transnet board and management to stop the looting because the business is able to sustain itself very well because it makes money due to it being a monopoly,” Scopa said in a statement.

“The alleged corruption and looting of resources is what is impacting negatively on Transnet.”

The comments by Scopa came after its members of parliament conducted an oversight visit at Transnet’s headquarters in Johannesburg, which coincided with the board serving notices of suspension on chief executive Siyabonga Gama and two other top senior officials.

Gama, chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyana and supply chain manager Lindiwe Mdletshe have been given until Monday to give reasons why they should not be suspended. The board moved against the three after reports revealed “various acts of possible misconduct” – ANA