Transnet SOC is conducting its own internal enquiry into allegations by the #GuptaLeaks investigators around tenders awarded by the state-owned entity (SOE), said Transnet spokesperson, Viwe Tlaleane.
This was in response to news today by the AmaBhungane Centre of Investigative Journalism alleging that the leaked e-mails had revealed that two more heavy equipment manufacturing companies - Swiss-based Liebherr-International AG and China’s Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Limited – had paid close to R100 million to Gupta family-owned offshore fronts.
This brought to seven the number of large companies known to have secretly paid Gupta front companies in connection with Transnet contracts, the AmaBhungane investigation revealed.
“Where appropriate, Transnet will enlist the services of independent experts, depending on the required expertise,” said Tlaleane.
According to AmaBhungane, Liebherr executive Dieter Schmid denied the allegations while Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Limited did not respond to questions.
In 2014, Liebherr Africa was awarded a contract for the supply of four ship-to-shore (STS) and 18 rubber tyre gantry (RTG) cranes to Transnet Port Terminals. And, according to FTW Online archives, in 2011, Transnet signed an agreement with China-based Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co (ZPMC) for the purchase of seven tandem lift ship-to-shore (STS) cranes for the Durban Container Terminal - Pier 2.
