http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/C ... ?id=113220
Transnet fires suspended Freight Rail CEO Gama
JULIUS BAUMANN
Published: 2010/06/30 06:32:32 AM
Siyabonga Gama. Photo: Sunday Times
TRANSNET yesterday announced the immediate dismissal of Siyabonga Gama, the suspended CEO of Transnet Freight Rail.
This enables the logistics parastatal finally to fill its two most senior positions.
Mr Gama had claimed that the disciplinary action that led to his dismissal was to stop him being promoted to group CEO, a post that has been vacant since Maria Ramos left in March last year to head Absa .
Last night, Transnet spokesman John Dludlu said: “The conclusion of this protracted matter paves the way for Transnet, in consultation with its shareholder, to make permanent appointments in place of the acting positions that were necessitated by the suspension and disciplinary action of Mr Gama.â€
The axing of Mr Gama was recommended by Mark Antrobus SC, who chaired the disciplinary inquiry that found him guilty on all misconduct charges against him, including an irretrievable breakdown in his relationship with Transnet.
“The latter charge, which was added during the hearing, arose from sustained public attacks mounted by Mr Gama, through his attorney, on the company’s board and executive,†said Mr Dludlu.
The other charges related to two procurement contracts, one for specialised security services and the other for refurbishment of 50 locomotives, said Mr Dludlu.
Mr Gama was found to have awarded an R18m contract irregularly to a firm linked to Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, although his authority was limited to contracts of less than R10m. He was also found to have failed to comply with conditions for an R800m contract for refurbishing locomotives.
Mr Gama’s lawyer, Themba Langa, said yesterday his client would weigh his options before responding publicly to his dismissal.
Mr Langa threatened this month to take Transnet to court in a bid to have Mr Gama’s disciplinary hearing declared null and void.
“We are going to ask the court for extensive relief and costs,†Mr Langa warned at the time in a letter to Transnet’s attorney, Chris Todd.
In the letter, Mr Langa said: “Transnet has compromised the integrity and processes of the (disciplinary) hearing, which occurred when Transnet appointed Mr Antrobus to preside in another Transnet disciplinary matter while the Gama matter was partly heard.
“To make matters worse, Mr Antrobus was briefed by the same Bowmans prosecution team that prosecuted Mr Gama … (which) would unequivocally create the impression that Mr Gama was tried by ‘buddies’.â€
It is not clear whether Transnet will begin a new search for a group CEO or return to the short list of three candidates, headed by BP executive Sipho Maseko, which it recommended to the government last year. Mr Maseko had already indicated that he was no longer available for the position.
Mr Dludlu said that the Transnet board had yet to decide on the way forward.
Ayanda Shezi, spokeswoman for the Department of Public Enterprises, said the appointment process was under way, but could not give time frames for when an appointment would be made.
baumannj@bdfm.co.za