SACP STATEMENT ON THE TRANSNET BOARD DECISION TO SUSPEND MR SIYABONGA GAMA

The SACP has noted the recent developments within Transnet and the subsequent suspension of Siyabonga Gama, CEO of its rail freight division (see report). We wish to express serious concerns about what appears to be an attempt by certain elements within and outside of Transnet to clearly frustrate the appointment of Mr. Gama as CEO despite his illustrious career, commitment to public service and strong credentials.

The current shenanigans at Transnet are a classic illustration of the concerns we have raised as the SACP about the strategic role and developmental focus of state owned enterprises. Amongst those concerns have been attempts by a few, often parasitic, element capture these entities for reasons that are contrary to their developmental mandate. As the SACP we fully share the concerns raised by SATAWU on the matter, and we are deeply suspicious that there is an elite that is hell bent on capturing Transnet for its own narrow interests.

The SACP calls for speedy intervention to resolve this matter.

At its last Central Committee the SACP raised its concerns about the intensive corporatization of state owned enterprised and restructuring the relationship  which increasingly operated as private companies and sites for accumulation on behalf  of capital in general and specifically an emerging BEE capitalist stratum. We wish to reiterate our call for a thorough audit of SoEs as well as review of the shareholder compacts to align these to government priorities as contained in the ANC election manifesto.

In addition, we call upon for more appointments of people representing communities, NGOs and the labour movement into the boards of all SoEs and other public entities.

Statement issued by Malesela Maleka, South African Communist Party spokesperson, September 7 2009

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