South African Transport and Allied Workers Union

HEAD OFFICE

For Immediate Release

20th September 2023
Corruption Rocks Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) worse than the
State Capture

Transnet appointed Pepi Silinga as the TNPA CEO, three years ago, before Transnet he served
as the CEO of CDC for over 20 years. To date TNPA has turned to CDC 2.0 . The whole team
that used to work for CDC under Pepi has been recruited in TNPA with no experience in this
highly regulated division of Transnet, “CDC captures TNPA”. To name the few, the CEO is from
CDC, Secretary CDC, 5 Members, Executive Managers and Senior Managers including fixed
term contractors (FTCs) are all from CDC. The Procurement Department of TNPA is full of CDC
ex-employees. Now let’s do the mathematics, Pepi is in control of everything in this department
which then leads to the corruption and irregularities we have seen happening in the procurement
space of TNPA. Pepi must be investigated as a matter of urgency. We not gonna fold hands and
do nothing about the dying of Transnet while we see dubious characters like Pepi destroying this
Jewel of our country. This leadership couldn’t wait to have their opportunity to come and loot
Transnet . “ It’s their chance now” so they think.

Firstly, we need an explanation from Chief People of Transnet to explain why only CDC ex-
employees are the qualifying to be appointed at TNPA. Are they the only skilled in South Africa
because they worked with Pepi?. We want to put it to you that this recruitment was irregular and
full of corruption.

The same CDC is now the Major implementing agency of all TNPA projects. To list the few, the
manganese terminal, fencing projects etc, Which procurement process was followed here.
Maybe the Group CPO can educate us better here.

SATAWU HOUSE Tel : (011) 403 2077/78 P.O.Box 9451

117 De Korte Street Johannesburg
Braamfontein, 2017 Fax: (011) 403 2021 / 2071 2001
RSA
President: Ntuthuzelo Mhlubulwana General Secretary: Jack Mazibuko
TNPA owns the most expensive generators which are now a white elephant because no EIA was
conducted worth 1 billion rands. They have not been commissioned this was shared in the NBC
meeting that sat yesterday the 19th of September 2023. Our question to Pepi is simple what due
diligence was done here before procuring these generators? Transnet is struggling and yet
money is spent on things that are not giving no return on investment. TNPA is struggling with
their marine services due to old tugs and unavailability, but Pepi saw it fit to prioritise generators
over tugs. And guess what Pepi is now considering outsourcing marine service killing our marine
South African skills. The plan is to privatise TNPA now. These skills can only be sourced from
the international companies while we pride on TNPA for having these skills. What does Pepi
even know about Maritime?

As Satawu we request the Board chair and the GCE of Transnet to conduct an urgent
investigation on Pepi and that he be removed from this position with immediate effect. There will
be no turnaround of Transnet but another Transnet State capture 2.0 WORSE than what we
have heard of. Corruption in Transnet is orchestrated by this leadership that could not wait to
have their chance to come and loot and ultimately destroy this organisation.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union has already challenged TNPA
management through a labour dispute ( CCMA ) on two matters of
- irregular procurement
- irregular recruitment

The union wishes to also state that it has secured a certificate to strike on this matter as it is clear
to us, we can no longer watch from sidelines and watch TNPA deteriorating.

Issued By SATAWU
General Secretary Cde Jack Mazibuko: 082 951 1181
Head of Communications Amanda Tshemese : 062 945 7217

SATAWU HOUSE Tel : (011) 403 2077/78 P.O.Box 9451

117 De Korte Street Johannesburg
Braamfontein, 2017 Fax: (011) 403 2021 / 2071 2001
RSA
President: Ntuthuzelo Mhlubulwana General Secretary: Jack Mazibuko