Gama loses bid in labour court to be reinstated as CEO of Transnet

SIYABONGA Gama failed in his bid to be reinstated as CEO of Transnet after the labour court in Johannesburg dismissed the case with costs.

Gama asked the court last month to find that the Transnet board was in contempt of court after it took the decision to end his contract with six months’ notice, said BusinessLive.

The court had earlier stayed an application by Gama to interdict the Transnet board from taking the decision to fire him. The application was stayed pending the outcome of arbitration. However, the board decided to go ahead with the termination of his contract, saying the court order did not prohibit it from doing so, said BusinessLive.

Transnet welcomed the decision as it supported its initial action regarding Gama. It also reinforced “… our resolve to ensure good governance and accountability among the leadership of Transnet and those responsible for the management of public funds,” said Popo Molefe, Transnet chairman, in a statement.

“The application was wholly misguided and merit-less,” said Judge Connie Prinsloo of the labour court. “The applicant [Gama] failed to satisfy even the requirements of the contempt application and interdict he seeks,” she said, adding that the taxpayer should not be burdened with the costs.