BusinessLive reports that Transnet has declined to comment on the appointment of a new group CEO after conflicting reports at the weekend that Portia Derby, former wife of one-time Transnet CEO Brian Molefe, was in line for the top job.
The Sunday Times reported that the Transnet board, chaired by Popo Molefe, has endorsed the appointment of Derby. However, City Press reported that the board’s preferred candidate was Patrick Dlamini, current CEO of the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Derby’s name was allegedly thrown in the ring after the initial interviews and at the insistence of public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. Six months after the interviews were conducted, a permanent CEO has yet to be appointed. Derby was formerly married to Brian Molefe, who was also once the CEO of Eskom and who stands accused of awarding hundreds of millions worth of contracts to favour Gupta-linked companies during his tenure at both state-owned enterprises. But, Derby’s association with Molefe was taken into account before she was recommended for the job. The two apparently fell out over Molefe’s association with the Gupta family. Transnet said it had received a number of media queries on the announcement of the new CEO and other outstanding executive appointments but it would not comment on the appointment “as the process is to be finalised with the shareholder minister”.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at BusinessLive
- Read too, Conflict between board and Gordhan delays appointment of Transnet CEO, at City Press
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