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Mafika Mkhwanazi concluded his testimony at the commission on Monday largely agreeing that the decisions the board made were irrational.
A screenshot of the former chairman of the Transnet board of directors, Mafika Mkhwanazi, at the state capture commission on Friday, October 16, 2020. Image: SABC Digital News / Youtube
JOHANNESBURG – Former Transnet board chairman Mafika Mkwanazi said on Monday that he would not oppose a recommendation by the state’s capture inquiry commission that he and his board members reimburse the 17 million rand they handed over. to Siyabonga Gama.
Mkhwanazi concluded his testimony at the commission largely agreeing that the decisions made by the board were irrational.
• Mkhwanazi admits to sabotaging legal processes to ensure that Gama will return as CEO of Transnet
However, he denied that former cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba had instructed him to bring Gama back; instead, he told Supreme Court Vice President Raymond Zondo that Gigaba just wanted Gama’s firing to be reviewed.
Mkhwanazi has a brilliant profile. He is educated in applied mathematics and has experience in the chairmanship of boards of state and private companies in South Africa and the continent.
However, he repeatedly said that he did not know why the decisions were made and did not even know that 75% of the legal costs for Gama would amount to R4 million.
Test leader advocate Anton Myburgh said: “I see you’re a little surprised.”
“I am because of my interpretation of the so-called legal costs, maybe I do not understand, I am stunned, yes,” Mkhwanazi said in response.
“But you were the negotiator,” argued Myburgh.
“At that time, this detail was not available to me,” Mkhwanazi said.
Zondo wanted the former chairman of the Transnet board to return the money.
“Would you say that there would be something unfair if, in the end, the commission recommended to the president that steps be taken to recover from the board members who supported this arrangement this money that, you and I agree, should not have been paid to the Mr. Gama? I ask.
“President, I would not object to that,” Mkhwanazi said in response.
Gama received R 13 million in back pay and benefits and R 4 million in legal costs despite having admitted guilty to misconduct and having been ordered by the High Court to pay Transnet’s costs.
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