Pravin faces a tough battle with the Transnet board
File image: IOL.
CAPE TOWN – Axed Transnet board member, Seth Radebe is reportedly taking Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to court as he claims the Minister is “abusing his powers”.
This comes after Gordhan last week removed Radebe and two other board members from the Transnet board.
Gordhan explained that the failure of the Transnet board to act on damning findings of a report by law firm Werksmans was among the reasons for this week’s removal of the three remaining members.
Gordhan said the Werksmansreport was clear on what the Transnet board needed to do following the controversial R54.5 billion locomotives contract. Gordhan said he met Transnet board members about four weeks ago and asked them to give him reasons why they should not be removed.
He met them again two weeks ago to hear the board members’ representations.
“That is one among many considerations after hearing the representations by (the three) board members,” he said.“(On Monday) I decided, after appropriate consultation, to intervene and appoint an interim board headed by Popo Molefe.”
On May 14, Department of Public Enterprises announced the appointment of a new interim board led by ANC veteran Molefe. Other members of the new board include Louis Zeuner, Ramasela Ganda, Ursula Fikelepi, Edward Kieswetter andDimakatso Matshoga.
The Department announced the removal of Seth Radebe, Potso Mathekga and Zainul Nagdee from the board. Radebe then launched an application at the Pretoria High Court to get his job back, reports Fin24.
In a bid to prepare for his court bid, Radebe’s lawyers reportedly drafted a memorandum to counsel. In the memorandum, Radebe claims that Gordhan did not remove Lana Kinley who was also appointed on the same day as he was.
Radebe then goes on to say that this shows the minister’s supposed racial bias. The axed board member then also reportedly claims that Gordhan told him that Transnet chief executive, Siyabonga Gama should be suspended whether he did wrong or not.
Radebe laid bare further claims to City Press and said that the Minister threatened to remove the board if they could not suspend Gama. According to Radebe, the Minister did not allow him the opportunity to fulfill his role as a director and reportedly acted hastily in axing him.
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– BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE
Source: iol.co.za
