The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is overwhelmed with joy at the news that Government will hold State-Owned Enterprises like Transnet and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) more accountable in future.
“Of the past few year South African Taxpayers had to hear about tender irregularities and wasteful expenditure at some of the SOE’s. Finally steps are being taken by Government to hold their management accountable which will benefit their employees also, “says Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.
This comes after Mcebisi Jonas, Deputy Minister of Finances, gave the assurance at a press conference at the 6 th National Congress of the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) that Government is “changing the landscape of SOE’s very fast.”
“Government will not capitalize on SEO’s, but there will be no bailouts. They must stick to their commitments as a lot of Government garnishees are vested in them, “says Jonas.
According to him there is a few economic reforms that Government decided to implement at SOE’s. Amongst them is a framework of governance, defining what developmental plans is and a framework for the appointment of boards.
Harris says this is a first step in the right direction, but emphasized that a lot more need to be done to drastically steer a SOE like PRASA out of danger.
Over the past year UNTU has repeatedly called on the Minister of Transport to apply to the High Court to have PRASA placed under Administration.
For enquiries phone Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
