Exxaro CEO Nombasa Tsengwa resigns

Exxaro CEO Nombasa Tsengwa has resigned after her failed attempt to have her suspension overturned in court.

Tsengwa was suspended in December over workplace and governance issues.

She approached the Pretoria high court, arguing her suspension was illegal and asking it to hear her claims that the board of Exxaro overstepped its powers by placing her on suspension while there was no disciplinary hearing pending.

However, judge Mncedisi Khumalo found the matter was not urgent and ordered Tsengwa to pay the costs of Exxaro’s counsel.

“There is no case to be made in the founding affidavit for the urgent relief the applicant seeks. It is trite that one does not make out a case in reply but must do so in the founding affidavit. Her failure in this regard is fatal to the application,” Khumalo ruled.

Business Times first reported how up to nine executives had resigned or were suspended since Tsengwa took over, with one describing working under her as “the worst time of my career at Exxaro”.

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