Johannesburg - Brian Bruce, CEO of Murray & Roberts, has followed in the footsteps of President Jacob Zuma.

This was after opening up the lines to potentially discontented shareholders, offering them a chance to e-mail comments to which he will publicly respond.

According to Bruce, the e-mails will land on his desk and be answered by him in an effort at transparency similar to the Zuma hotline opened by the presidency earlier this year.

Followers of Murray & Roberts haven't held back. Since going live on July 21, they have quizzed Bruce on bonuses to the group's involvement in a Competition Commision inquiry.

Bruce may have opened a Pandora's Box of problems. One interlocutor asked him why the group had denied involvement in price fixing - which it certainly hasn't.

"We all know it was certainly not the actions of individuals for personal gain but orchestrated by senior members and executives," said one inquirer.

"Clearly [this person] knows much more than I do," Bruce responded.

"I therefore challenge you - even publicly on this site - to be specific with your allegations as well as to be specific where you worked in Murray & Roberts, with who and when. I undertake to investigate every allegation you make."

Other commentary borders on the comical.

"From my desk in Alexandria Egypt, which is geographically adjacent to another famous battle ground, El Alamein, I correspond to you from the front line," says one Murray & Roberts employee on October 30.

"My initial letter of appointment was signed by Mr Bob Snape following an interview he gave me in London 1970," he says.

"Apart from yourself [Bruce] I cannot recall anybody within the 29 999 currently employed who were with the group before I joined, and are still on the wage sheet to whom one of these days I can say: 'Goodbye congratulations you outlasted me'. Best Regards, Rex Laver".

Bruce is winning some plaudits, however.

Said Basil Muller to Bruce: "Dear Brian. Browsing through your website, I came across your CEO discussion forum.

"It is so great that one can engage directly with a CEO and there's an commitment to respond. Very rare in South African companies. Well done!"

- Fin24.com