DA apologises to Ramos

The DA had now been furnished with copies of the contracts bearing on the sale by Transnet and others to Lexshell of the shares in V&A Waterfront Holdings, he said in a statement.

These documents would appear to reveal, among other things, that Transnet had not disposed of very substantial portions of the coastline and sea, in selling its interest in the V&A to Lexshell, "as alleged elsewhere", he said.

Transnet had incurred certain obligations to the V&A (predating the sale of its interest in that company to Lexshell) in respect of the transfer by it to the V&A of land to be reclaimed, consisting of certain identified sea areas adjacent to the V&A.

"In the light of the further information which has now been disclosed by Transnet, there is no reason to believe that the sale of shares to Lexshell was unlawful in any way, or that the transaction in question saw assets being disposed of by Transnet substantially below value or in otherwise irregular circumstances.

"The DA and its spokesperson Mr R Carlisle accordingly unreservedly withdraw any allegation of impropriety or wrongdoing on the part of Transnet or its chief executive officer Ms M Ramos and record their apology for any damage which may have been caused to the good name and reputation of Transnet and Ms Ramos by any such allegation," Carlisle said.

- Sapa