Transnet CEO Mr Brian Molefe confirmed the controversial appointment yesterday when he released details of the composition of the group's new executive committee.
In response to the announcement, the Congress of South African Trade Unions expressed concern over Gama's return to the state-owned enterprise, saying he had endorsed "suspect" deals. But Molefe indicated that the board had decided that the sanction against Gama had been "too harsh". "He was not found guilty of corruption, or theft, or dishonesty. He has got a lot of experience in rail, which I need at the moment," Molefe says, adding that Gama had received a final written warning.
Transnet says the finalisation of the new executive committee has ended nearly two years of uncertainty following the group's failure to secure a permanent replacement for previous chief executive Ms Maria Ramos, who departed for Barclays subsidiary, Absa Bank in early 2009.
The only other slight surprise in the announcement was that Mr Anoj Singh, who stepped in as acting CFO when his predecessor, Mr Chris Wells, took over as acting CEO, remains in place in an acting capacity. The new executive committee becomes effective on March 21.
