Transnet CEO goes to court to keep his job

15 October 2018 - 07:05 By Genevieve Quintal
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Siyabonga Gama
Siyabonga Gama
Image: Robert Tshabalala

Embattled Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama will on Tuesday approach the Labour Court to stop the utility’s board from firing him.

Transnet had given Gama 10 days to show why his contract should not be terminated for alleged misconduct and maladministration in the acquisition of R54-billion worth of locomotives.

In papers prepared for court‚ seen by Business Day‚ the CEO wants the court to order that the notice calling on him to give reasons why he should not be fired constitutes a "wrongful and unlawful anticipatory breach of the applicant’s contract of employment".

On October 5‚ Gama’s lawyers wrote to Transnet chair Popo Molefe demanding that the termination notice be withdrawn‚ threatening legal action if this was not done. In a response to Gama‚ Transnet’s lawyers‚ Mncedisi Ndlovu & Sedumedi Attorneys‚ said their clients would not withdraw the notice.

"Should your client [Gama] fail to meet the aforementioned deadline‚ our client [Transnet] will proceed to take a decision on the basis of the information before it; and there are no sound legal grounds to sustain the threatened urgent court action‚" the attorneys said.

- BusinessLIVE


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.