DA requests Ramaphosa to initiate SIU investigation into R300 million Transnet scandal
24 January 2024
The DA has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting that he sign and issue a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to launch an investigation into the allegations of corruption levelled at Mninawe Pepi Silinga, the CEO of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).
The DA made this request in light of the seriousness of the allegations levelled against Silinga as well as the scale of money involved.
The allegations against Silinga are that he irregularly appointed the Coega Development Corporation as the implementing agent for the erection of security fencing upgrades at 3 of the country’s major ports, namely the Durban, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay ports. It is further alleged that he permitted the cumulative and collective costs of these security fencing upgrades to rise steeply from R76 million to a massive R301 million.
Although reports indicate that Transnet has instituted an internal investigation to probe these allegations, the DA is not convinced that an internal investigation into the allegations levelled against Silinga can be conducted in a fair, partial and thorough manner whilst Silinga is still in office.