Spoornet investigates bribery allegations

Joy Orlek A FULL-SCALE investigation into alleged irregularities at Spoornet relating to bribery and corruption in the provision of its services is currently underway. Transnet's forensic department, assisted by an external firm Gobodo Forensics, will investigate the alleged irregularities, while State investigation authorities will also be involved where appropriate. Spoornet's general manager commercial, Harry Mashele, has been suspended on paid leave for the duration of the investigation which was instigated by Spoornet CEO Zandile Jakavula. He stressed that Spoornet would not tolerate any irregularities of this nature. The issues relate to the pricing of contracts, the allocation of rolling stock, and customers allegedly being told that they could only deal with Spoornet via certain designated third party logistics companies, for which Spoornet staff were allegedly receiving kickbacks. Spoornet has in recent times found itself under To page 12 From page 1 severe pressure to deliver, with the commercial sector selling more than the operations sector is able to provide in terms of rolling stock. According to media liaison manager Mike Asefovitz, an internal restructuring was planned for April 1 which would have seen the operations and commercial sectors combined under the leadership of Ravi Nair, currently general manager joint ventures and restructuring. Mashele was due to take over this portfolio from Nair. This decision followed the resignation of Simo Lushaba who has left Spoornet to take up a private sector post. The country's export boom has exacerbated the problem for Spoornet whose limited supply of rolling stock has been a source of frustration for its customers. Asefovitz believes, however, that the problem will begin to ease shortly as Spoornet's capital expenditure programme moves into top gear. "It has been approved by the Transnet Board, and will be implemented shortly. "We're also looking at a different way of running the trains. We realise that we can't be all things to everyone, and will therefore concentrate on our major customers and outsource smaller business to designated companies, along the lines of our Viamax deal."