Gama threatens legal action against Transne

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Pretoria - An email sent to the media by suspended Transnet rail CEO Siyabonga Gama is an attempt to avoid dealing with ramifications for the charges he has been found guilty of, said the parastatal.

This comes as Transnet has been contacted by media for comment on an email sent to its attorneys on Monday from Gama's lawyer.

"In the email, Gama threatens further court proceedings in an effort to prevent the finalisation of the disciplinary hearing to determine the sanction that should be imposed on him for a number of instances of serious misconduct," said Transnet spokesperson John Dludlu on Monday.

Last week, Transnet said Gama had been found guilty of each of the charges leveled against him. The charges include the irretrievable breakdown in his relationship with the parastatal.

Last September, Transnet suspended Gama pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process. The hearing related to alleged serious breach of governance requirements in respect of two procurement contracts.

"The content of this email, and the fact that it was distributed simultaneously to the media by Gama's attorney, show that this is a transparent attempt by Gama to avoid dealing with the consequences of the misconduct of which he has been found guilty.

"There is no substance whatsoever to the latest complaint raised by Gama, and Transnet will continue to deal with this internal matter through its own internal processes," said Dludlu.