Ousted Transnet exec makes threats

Johannesburg - Suspended Transnet Freight Rail CEO Siyabonga Gama is threatening legal action to stave off his dismissal, the company said on Monday.

Gama, through his attorney, had made the threats in an e-mail to the company and members of the media, said Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu in a statement.

"In the e-mail, Mr Gama threatens further court proceedings in an effort to prevent the finalisation of the disciplinary hearing to determine the sanction that should be imposed on him for a number of instances of serious misconduct," said Dludlu.

Last week, Gama was found guilty of a serious breach of governance requirements in relation to two procurement contracts.

Gama was suspended late last year to face charges related to the allocation of a contract to refurbish 50 locomotives to Sibanye Trade Services, which allegedly lacks experience in this area.

Gama, who only had authority to sign off on contracts of less than R10m, also allegedly awarded a R19m contract to a security firm with alleged links to Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.

"The content of this e-mail, and the fact that it was distributed simultaneously to the media by Mr Gama's attorney, show that this is a transparent attempt by Mr Gama to avoid dealing with the consequences of the misconduct of which he has been found guilty," said Dludlu.

- Sapa