ActionSA writes to Minister Gordhan to abandon cadre deployment when hiring new Transnet executives

6 October 2023

ActionSA has written to Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, to abandon the ruling party’s policy of cadre deployment - where those aligned with the ruling party are hired - when considering the appointment of new executives at the embattled state-owned logistics company Transnet.

The recent exodus of the CEO, CFO and Transnet Freight Rail CEO highlights how the ruling party’s policy of cadre deployment has dismally failed, leaving key state institutions weakened further while increasing the cost of living for many.

It is now clear that the disastrous leadership at Transnet is, in large part, to blame for the country missing the commodity boom which contributes to South Africa’s current budgetary constraints, and inability to create quality jobs.

This is why ActionSA has asked Gordhan that the policy of cadre deployment should be entirely abandoned when hiring new executives at Transnet, and instead, only the most skilled and qualified people should be appointed.

In a situation where poor leadership has directly contributed to increased poverty and unemployment, such as with Transnet, only the best possible person for the job should be hired in the best interest of all South Africans.

ActionSA maintains that Transnet is too important for it to disintegrate to the extent it has, and therefore its rehabilitation should be prioritised to help South Africans create jobs, improve lives and combat poverty.

As a party which values economic prosperity, ActionSA will continue to put pressure on the ruling party to ensure that decisions are taken that are in the best interest of all South Africans, instead of adopting policies which are intended to benefit a select few.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, President of ActionSA, 6 October 2023