The South African Communist Party (SACP) on Monday added its voice to cries that the suspension of Transnet freight rail chief Siyabonga Gama was a conspiracy to stop him becoming head of the parastatal.
”We wish to express serious concern 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 SACP said.
”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, elements to capture these entities for reasons that are contrary to their developmental mandate.”
It said it believed that there was an elite ”hell-bent on capturing Transnet for its own narrow interests”.
Transnet last week suspended Gama and instituted disciplinary action against him over alleged serious breaches in two procurement contracts.
Gama, who was a favourite to replace Maria Ramos as Transnet chief executive, has said the charges were an attempt to block his promotion and is expected to file a court application to challenge his suspension.
He has received support from Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, the African National Congress, the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union and the Black Management Forum.
Radebe is on record as saying: ”Some of us will ensure that he gets the job.”
The SACP said it believed the government was losing control of parastatals because intensive corporatisation had resulted in them behaving like private companies pursuing a capitalist agenda. — Sapa