Minister Pravin Gordhan on ongoing investigation into procurement processes at Transnet National Ports Authority
8 February 2024
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan has denounced the attempts to mislead the public and deflect attention from an ongoing investigation into procurement processes at Transnet National Ports Authority. (TNPA).
No individual or organisation has a right to use the Minister’s name for their nefarious agendas.
The Minister met with the two recognised labour unions (SATAWU and UNTU) on 20 September 2023 as part of ongoing engagements on various matters relating to the freight and logistics sector.
Minister Gordhan said there was no truth to the claims being peddled in the media that a union could have power to sway him to get involved in matters that are the remit of the Board of Transnet. Minister Gordhan does not take instructions from unions.
Neither the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) nor the Minister gets involved in any procurement processes as that is a responsibility of the Board. “To suggest otherwise is mischievous and outright scandalous.
No amount of lies will deter us from rooting out corruption and holding anybody who is found stealing public resources accountable,” said Minister Gordhan.
“The investigation that is currently underway must proceed without fear or favour so that there is no doubt in the public’s mind about the government’s resolve and commitment to deal with corruption, and push back against the forces of greed,” Minister Gordhan added.
Transnet is on the path to recovery as underscored by the ongoing efforts to improve rail volumes, boost efficiencies at the ports, leverage public-private partnerships and the Freight Logistics Roadmap that was recently approved by Cabinet.
“The media must guard against being used by faceless elements seeking to undermine our work to stabilise state-owned enterprises (SOEs) reporting to the DPE. These SOEs are the backbone of our economy. We won’t allow rogue elements to mislead the public by hiding behind their lies,” said Minister Gordhan.
Issued by Ellis Mnyandu, DPE Spokesperson, 8 February 2024
