The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) has reinstated Sobantu Tilayi to its executive leadership after clearing him of all allegations of corruption levelled against him in a lengthy forensic report released last year.
Samsa announced on Friday that Tilayi had been reinstated as the organisation’s chief operations officer after being suspended for two years based on the allegations which it said had since been “investigated and concluded”.
The safety authority also announced the appointment of Tau Morwe as its new acting chief executive officer.
“The board, having applied its collective mind to the various investigations and reports, unanimously agreed with recommendations of a senior counsel and, in line with these, we are pleased to announce the reinstatement of Tilayi as COO after a difficult period of absence,” Samsa said.
“Regarding the two other executives that were suspended along with Mr Tilayi, it is noted that one of the cases is now before the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, while the other is still undergoing relevant disciplinary processes, with the hope that both these will be concluded very soon.”
Accountancy and audit firm Morar Incorporated had outlined in a 160-page report released in 2022 allegations that Tilayi had overstepped his position and was allegedly complicit in corruption and cronyism, which had placed the organisation’s stability and reputation at risk.
Samsa said it had decided to appoint Morwe in the interests of maintaining its leadership and “internal stability” pending the recruitment of a permanent chief executive. Morwe takes over from Zamachonco Chonco who resigned with effect from October 31.
Morwe was one of six people Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga appointed recently to serve as a non-executive member on the board.
“This transitional measure of the appointment of Mr Morwe, also a deputy chairperson of the board of Samsa, has the approval of the minister of transport, as the sole shareholder. As acting CEO, Mr Morwe will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations … while charting a course for long-term growth and prosperity,” Samsa said.
Among key issues Morwe has been tasked with during the period of his appointment is “to provide stability to the organisation” while undertaking “a fair and impartial recruitment process” for a permanent CEO and for other executive and senior positions that require filling.
“Morwe brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in our industry. His dedication, vision, and strategic thinking have consistently driven success in previous roles, making him the ideal choice to guide Samsa through this transitional period while the recruitment processes are expedited,” Samsa said.
