Transnet is lodging a formal complaint regarding the article titled ‘Call for Minister of Transport to act against Transnet executives’, published on the Mail & Guardian website and social media platforms on 13 August 2026 at 13h08.
We are deeply concerned that the article contains material inaccuracies, lacks balance and context, and presents allegations against Transnet and its executives without adequately interrogating or corroborating them.
On 4 August 2026, Mail & Guardian journalist Sandile Motha submitted three questions to the Transnet Media Desk relating to the forensic investigations into the Richards Bay equipment procurement matter. Transnet responded on 5 August with detailed responses addressing each of the questions and providing a clear update on the status of the investigations.
It was therefore concerning to see the published article introduce a number of allegations and issues that were not raised in the original media query. Transnet was consequently not afforded a reasonable opportunity to respond to the full scope of the allegations ultimately published.
Of particular concern is the article’s portrayal of Transnet Port Terminals Chief Executive Jabu Mdaki, whose photograph is prominently used in an article that associates him with allegations of corruption at TPT. This is especially serious given the reputational harm that may arise from presenting unsubstantiated allegations in this manner, particularly as there were no adverse findings in respect of Mr Mdaki and the other executives named in the article. Furthermore, these false accusations are compromising the safety of the executives. It is Transnet’s view that the smear campaign against the executives is part of a fight-back following the blacklisting of companies and dismissal /suspension of the employees who have been found to be colluding with suppliers to defraud and overcharge Transnet.
The article also gives significant prominence to allegations made by the Professionals and Labour Civil Organisation of South Africa (PLACOSA) and the Black Business Federation (BBF), including allegations involving Mr Solly Letsoalo. These matters were not raised in the
questions submitted to Transnet, and the organisation was therefore not given an opportunity to respond to them before publication.
We are particularly concerned by the article’s treatment of claims that Transnet’s forensic investigation was merely a “window-dressing exercise” intended to exonerate “politically connected executives”. Such serious allegations should be clearly attributed as allegations and appropriately interrogated, rather than presented without sufficient context or supporting evidence.
Similarly, the article quotes calls for the Minister of Transport to suspend Mr Mdaki and other Transnet executives pending a forensic investigation into alleged corruption and fraud relating to HPE Africa contracts.
This is misleading in the context of information already publicly communicated by Transnet. On 9 July 2026, Transnet announced that it had successfully applied to National Treasury for the blacklisting of seven companies implicated in serious unethical and unlawful conduct. The action followed a forensic investigation, supported by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which uncovered various irregularities, including alleged kickbacks, corruption, collusion and theft of company assets. Transnet also confirmed that several employees had been suspended in connection with the investigation.
Investigations into these matters remain ongoing, as has been publicly stated by Transnet. Against this backdrop, the article creates confusion by giving prominence to calls for a further forensic investigation without adequately explaining the investigations already undertaken and those that remain underway.
Transnet and its executives remain committed to the highest standards of governance, accountability and integrity. The organisation maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards fraud, theft, corruption and any form of impropriety. Our Group Chief Executive, Adv Michelle Phillips, has consistently articulated this position, including most recently at the Black Business Council’s Annual Summit on Wednesday evening.
We further draw your attention to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media, particularly Chapter 1: Media-Generated Content and Activities, which states that the media shall:
1.1 Take care to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly;
1.2 Present news in context and in a balanced manner, without any intentional or negligent departure from the facts, whether by distortion, exaggeration or misrepresentation, material omissions, or summarisation; and
1.3 Present only what may reasonably be true as fact, with opinions, allegations, rumours or suppositions clearly presented as such.
In light of the above, Transnet requests that the Mail & Guardian review the article and address the material inaccuracies, omissions and lack of balance identified in this complaint.
We further request that the Mail & Guardian publish a properly researched, accurate and balanced correction that gives Transnet an appropriate opportunity to respond to the allegations introduced in the article. We also request an apology to Transnet Port Terminals Chief Executive Jabu Mdaki, together with the other executives named in the article (Dean Moodley, Bhekani Cele, Natasha Anderson, Michelle van Buren Schele and Xolani Mthethwa) for the reputational harm caused by the manner in which they have been portrayed in the article.
Transnet remains committed to transparent, ethical and accountable conduct and expects the same standards of accuracy, fairness and accountability from media organisations reporting on matters of significant public interest.
We look forward to your urgent response and appropriate action.
Issued on behalf of Transnet SOC Ltd.
For Media Enquiries:
Mediadesk@transnet.net
The recent probe by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Transnet’s own internal forensic investigation which fingered senior officials at the state entity over systematic corruption and procurement collusion were merely a window dressing exercise. This is the view of labour organisations who claimed the investigations had only identified fall guys while the masterminds were protected by the system.
The corruption frenzy and what appeared to have been a grand scale looting relates to the Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) materials handling equipment contracts worth R824m which was flagged as being irregular. The two contracts are linked to the state entity’s division in Richards Bay. The lucrative contracts were awarded to High Power Equipment Africa (HPE Africa) between period 2023 t o 2024. In the aftermath of the shocking revelations, labour organisations have written to Barbara Creecy, the minister of transport, asking her to suspend Transnet Port Terminals chief executive Jabu Mdaki and his executive team.
The labour formations want the top executives to be subjected to an independent forensic investigation. The Professionals and Labour Civil Organisation of South Africa (Placosa), who have been at the centre of demanding accountability at Transnet Port Terminals in Richards Bay said Transnet had simply conducted a window-dressing exercise aimed at exonerating the politically connected executives.
“If Transnet was serious about rooting out corruption and collusion and a culture of kickbacks in its ranks, there should be no holy cows. We treat the recent internal forensic investigation with scepticism. We believe it was meant to protect the top executives who are the main beneficiaries and the culprits in this clandestine activities at Transnet,” Placosa stated. The dubious nature of the contracts was the subject of the forensic report commissioned by the Fundudzi Forensic Services who concluded that the company in question had flouted tender specification processes.
“The Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) went on confinement to HPE based on a motivation that the company was an accredited agent of Hyundai equipment regardless of the fact that HPE provided mainly RADDS owned equipment. The appointment of HPE was therefore irregular as the company provided RADDS equipment and not equipment sourced from Hyundai,” the final draft report seen by the Mail & Guardian revealed.
It also emerged that HPE Africa supplied more plant machines than it was required for the project which were subsequently paid for by the Transnet Port Terminals for being at the site. This despite the fact that the equipment was not being used. There were also no sufficient drivers for the other plant machines. The said tender was awarded on 01 August 2023 for 24 months. It was later extended. RADDS, whose equipment was used by HPE Africa, was the same company that was locked in litigation with Transnet in relation to the awarding of the materials-handling equipment.The forensic report only fingered one Thulasizwe Dlamini, the Transnet Port Terminals senior manager but Placosa says this was a mere cover-up.
“We want minister Barbara Creecy to immediately suspend Mr Jabu Mdaki together with his executive namely but not limited to Dean Moodley, Bhekani Cele, Natasha Anderson, Michelle Van Buren Schele and Xolani Mthethwa who approved HPE Africa contracts. This must be done pending a forensic investigation into the allegations of corruption and fraud relating to alleged kickbacks from the contracts,” the labour movement said. Last month, the state entity announced it had successfully applied to the National Treasury for blacklisting seven companies implicated in serious unethical and unlawful conduct. It said the decision emanated from a forensic investigation supported by the SIU, which uncovered a range of irregularities including kickbacks, corruption, collusion and theft of company assets.
It further stated several of its employees had been suspended for allegedly being part of the looting frenzy. The Black Business Federation (BBF) also entered the fray, accusing Solly Letsoalo, the Transnet Soc Limited group chief operations officer of a nonchalant approach to the Transnet Port Terminals woes. “Subsequent to our correspondence to the minister, Placosa has received a letter from Mr Solly Letsoalo.
We note with concern that Mr Letsoalo was deliberately not copied on the memorandum. His unsolicited response is therefore troubling. The letter issued by Mr Letsoalo is vague and avoids confirming whether the memorandum has been referred for investigation and provides no clarity on the structures or processes engaged,” asserted a letter dated 8 August and authored by BBF CEO Thembeka Cibane. It was directed to Minister Creecy. In its response to queries from the M&G, the Transnet Port Terminals said:“
A number of investigations and disciplinary processes remain underway, including matters relating to Richards Bay Terminals. Where necessary, these processes are being pursued in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies.Transnet Port Terminals continues to implement recommendations arising from forensic investigations and strengthen its governance and control environment.”