Heads are rolling or, at least appear to be rolling at the freight and rail parastatal following a recent media briefing in Sandton where both Transnet’s chairman and acting CEO, respectively Popo Molefe and Tau Morwe, committed themselves to ruthlessly cleaning the once-captured organisation.
At the time of the briefing Molefe indicated that some executives, such as Transnet properties CE Thabo Lebelo, had preferred to resign when he faced suspension and now yet more senior heads are on the block.
This follows a statement from Transnet earlier today saying “eight senior executives have been issued with letters of precautionary suspension resulting from past internal audit and forensic reports that were not implemented by management”.
In one of its clearest indications yet that it is serious about ridding itself of widespread rot at the top, Transnet said “the decision to issue precautionary suspensions was taken after a realisation that reports done over a number of years have been piling up, with no follow up.
“The impression has thus been created that forensic report findings were only followed up to selected employees.”
Apart from the strong stance it has taken, an external support service has been contracted to ensure “equity and fairness” in the execution of report findings.
The eight executives and general managers who have been served with the letters have been implicated in acts of wrongdoing dating as far back as 2011.
No names have been released and the implicated parties have 48 hours to respond in their own defence or face suspension.
-Eugene Goddard
