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Johannesburg - Transnet’s re-employment of Siyabonga Gama was a “business decision”.
This was according to Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, who said Gama’s appointment had been a decision by Transnet’s new board of directors, and he had not seen the full details himself.
Gama was very controversially reappointed to Transnet’s executive committee on Thursday.
This step followed his dismissal by the parastatal on June 3 last year at the recommendation of the independent chairperson of the disciplinary committee who had investigated complaints about Gama.
Gama was first suspended in August 2009 for his role in procuring two contracts – one for 50 locomotives and one for security services – while he headed Transnet’s freight division, Transnet Freight Rail.
A third charge was later added, following Gama and his attorney’s repeated attacks on the Transnet board and executive committee. The charge was one of an irreparable breakdown of the relationship between Transnet and Gama, the utility declared last year.
The disciplinary committee found Gama guilty of all the charges against him and the chairperson’s recommendation on each count, as well as on the three together, was immediate dismissal.
Transnet has since acquired a new board, as well as a new Minister of Public Enterprises.
The Gama abscess burst while Transnet was under acting management and under the auspices of the former minister, Barbara Hogan.
Gama’s attorney, Themba Langa, said Gama had appeared before an independent arbitrator last year.
Langa said Gama had not been found guilty of corruption, dishonesty or even gross negligence. He was merely found guilty of ordinary carelessness and his punishment had been considered excessive.
Langa said the arbitrator had agreed.
Gama, said Langa, had more than 14 years’ experience at Transnet and still had much to contribute to the utility.
Transnet spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela confirmed that Gama’s reappointment had been a board decision. The department had not been involved.
He said Transnet had entered into a confidentiality agreement with Gama. In effect, the board had reviewed Gama’s punishment and had decided that a final warning, which would be in force for six months, would be a more reasonable penalty than dismissing him.
Sigonyela said the board had based its decision on the finding that Gama had not been guilty of corruption or dishonest behaviour.
- Sake24
For business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.
This was according to Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba, who said Gama’s appointment had been a decision by Transnet’s new board of directors, and he had not seen the full details himself.
Gama was very controversially reappointed to Transnet’s executive committee on Thursday.
This step followed his dismissal by the parastatal on June 3 last year at the recommendation of the independent chairperson of the disciplinary committee who had investigated complaints about Gama.
Gama was first suspended in August 2009 for his role in procuring two contracts – one for 50 locomotives and one for security services – while he headed Transnet’s freight division, Transnet Freight Rail.
A third charge was later added, following Gama and his attorney’s repeated attacks on the Transnet board and executive committee. The charge was one of an irreparable breakdown of the relationship between Transnet and Gama, the utility declared last year.
The disciplinary committee found Gama guilty of all the charges against him and the chairperson’s recommendation on each count, as well as on the three together, was immediate dismissal.
Transnet has since acquired a new board, as well as a new Minister of Public Enterprises.
The Gama abscess burst while Transnet was under acting management and under the auspices of the former minister, Barbara Hogan.
Gama’s attorney, Themba Langa, said Gama had appeared before an independent arbitrator last year.
Langa said Gama had not been found guilty of corruption, dishonesty or even gross negligence. He was merely found guilty of ordinary carelessness and his punishment had been considered excessive.
Langa said the arbitrator had agreed.
Gama, said Langa, had more than 14 years’ experience at Transnet and still had much to contribute to the utility.
Transnet spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela confirmed that Gama’s reappointment had been a board decision. The department had not been involved.
He said Transnet had entered into a confidentiality agreement with Gama. In effect, the board had reviewed Gama’s punishment and had decided that a final warning, which would be in force for six months, would be a more reasonable penalty than dismissing him.
Sigonyela said the board had based its decision on the finding that Gama had not been guilty of corruption or dishonest behaviour.
- Sake24
For business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.
