The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is disturbed by the decision of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) to suspend the membership of Transnet and Eskom with immediate effect, because of the “extensive allegations of corrupt behaviour over a long period,” made against both state-owned enterprises in the #Guptaleaks.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says this drastic decision of BLSA will have a negative impact on the standing and reputation of Transnet, which will in return not be in the best interest of UNTU’s members, most of the employees working for Transnet.
Harris addressed the serious allegations in the #Guptaleaks last week in a letter addressed to Mr. Siyabonga Gama, Transnet Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Tumelo Mokwena, Transnet General Manager: Human Capital. Mokwena immediately responded in saying that he is checking the facts and will respond to the Union officially.
However, the assurance by Transnet that it appointed Werksmans Attorneys to conduct an independent investigation into the #Guptaleaks was not good enough for BLSA Chief Executive Officer, Bonang Mohale.
Mohale said in a statement today, after engagements with Eskom and Transnet, neither could give BLSA the “comfort that they appreciated the seriousness of the issues at hand.” He believes the SOEs also never had the purpose to put their houses in order which left BLSA with no choice but to suspend their memberships from the organisation.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Statements phone 082 463 6806 or e-mail sonja@untu.co.za.
