Firing Gama sets a good example

In a move which is something of a novelty in SA, a state-owned entity has actually fired an official. Siyabonga Gama, the head of Transnet Freight Rail, was not sent packing with a quiet, multimillion-rand deal under his belt - at least, we don't think he was.

His departure was not covered up as a resignation of his own choice "to pursue other interests"; nor has he been placed on semi-permanent suspension until we all forget about him and the whole issue quietly disappears.

He has simply been sent packing after being found guilty of misconduct. But it will not end there. He will claim millions due to unfair dismissal, costing huge legal fees on both sides which we taxpayers will finance.

Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction. State-owned entities - or any organisation for that matter - should hold their employees accountable and should be able to bid them farewell as a result, without having to fork out for it.

Yet, this is considered a mistake by many. Gwede Mantashe, for example, believes that Transnet should focus on Gama being a capable black manager who turned around Portnet and Spoornet rather than on his indiscretions.

So the criterion for whether a person is successful in their job is that they are black and capable, irrespective of whether they are found guilty of misconduct. No wonder flouting the rules of corporate governance is endemic: it is acceptable.

This is insulting to all clean business people, especially those who are black and capable, but who also have a moral compass.

Transnet seems to have netted a chairman

Despite Eskom setting the example and finally hiring a new CEO, other parastatals still cannot get their top positions filled.

Transnet is a glaring example; perhaps it has been waiting for the Gama issue to be sorted out.

It has emerged, however, that Transnet has at least managed to identify a chairman to replace acting chair Geoff Everingham, who has been there since taking over from Fred Phaswana in August last year. It is understood that Mvelaphanda's Mikki Xayiya is a shoe-in for the job.

Not exactly a mine of information

THE battle over the mining rights at Kumba's Sishen iron ore mine is ridiculous. Imperial Crown Trading, which was awarded prospecting rights at Sishen in controversial circumstances, has been wanting to start prospecting at the mine - which is, and has been for a long time, an operational mine.

I think we can safely say that the prospecting work has already been done and that it is well established that iron ore is present.

Kumba must be wondering about its own tactic, which was to let ArcelorMittal fend for itself when it was established that it had failed to apply for its 21.4% prospecting rights. This would then pave the way for Kumba to get the rights for itself, thereby putting an end to a preferential supply agreement with ArcelorMittal.

Extension of that agreement might just have been preferential to, and perhaps even less costly than, what is going on right now.

Aussies not backward in going forward - and neither should SA be

THE Australians have had a rethink on the super-tax on mining companies, paving the way for continued investment by some of the world's biggest miners.

At the same time, SA has reinforced its commitment to imposing transformation quotas on its mines, which, judging by the reluctance to do so, must be seen by mining companies to be potentially onerous, although Grapevine begs to differ.

It has been many years since black economic empowerment was introduced, yet many companies are still voicing their commitment to it, but stalling the execution of it.

It is time to get it done.

kleinm@sundaytimes.co.za