Siyabonga Gama has been reinstated to the executive committee of Transnet following a review of his dismissal for certain breaches of governance, the parastatal said on Wednesday.
“Mr Gama’s reinstatement is subject to a final written warning given the fact that Mr Gama was not found guilty of corruption and/or dishonesty,” spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela said in a statement.
“The board is of the view that such an agreement is in the best interest of the company.”
Gama was suspended in 2009 to face charges related to the allocation of a contract to refurbish 50 locomotives to Sibanye Trade Services, which allegedly lacked experience in the renovation of locomotives.
Gama, who only had authority to sign off on contracts worth less than R10-million, also allegedly awarded a R19-million contract to a security firm.
He was found guilty in June last year of a serious breach of governance requirements in relation to two procurement contracts.
Sigonyela said Gama’s reinstatement took effect on Wednesday and he would be based in the chairman’s office until the new group chief executive finalised the makeup of his executive team.
The board had mandated the chairperson, Mafika Mkhwanazi, to handle the Gama matter to its conclusion.
This included facilitating the cultivation and maintenance of cordial relations between Gama, his colleagues in the executive committee and the rest of Transnet’s employees, he said.
“The board believes the settlement brings finality to this matter and would bring to an end the harmful publicity surrounding it.
“As a result of the agreement, Transnet management can focus all its time and efforts in keeping Transnet a world class operation,” Sigonyela said. — Sapa