Siyabonga Gama guilty, says Transnet

[John Ashworth]

Siyabonga Gama guilty, says Transnet

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Jun 07 2010 07:21
Mail and Guardian

Former Transnet freight rail chief executive, Siyabonga Gama, has been found guilty of a serious breach of governance requirements in relation to two procurement contracts, the company said on Sunday.

The findings by an independent chairman in an internal disciplinary hearing against Gama were delivered on Saturday, spokesperson John Dludlu said in a statement.

Gama was suspended in 2009 to face charges related to the allocation of a contract to refurbish 50 locomotives to Sibanye Trade Services, which allegedly lacks experience in the renovation of locomotives.

Gama, who only had authority to sign off on contracts worth less than R10-million, also allegedly awarded a R19-million contract to a security firm with alleged links to Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda.

"In a detailed 200-page finding, Mr Gama was found guilty of each of the charges brought against him including one of irretrievable breakdown in relationship with Transnet," Dludlu said.

He said the hearing was in the final stage of completion where further submissions were expected before a request was made to its chairman for an appropriate sanction. -- Sapa