Transnet’s Laher talks about fears of insubordination if he questioned Anoj Singh

JOHANNESBURG – Transnet CFO Yousuf Laher has painted a disturbing picture of the relationship he had with the former CFO of the parastatal, Anoj Singh.

Former electrical engineer Francis Callard previously told the commission that Laher was responsible for an increase of R1 billion on the 100 locomotive contract in 2014 and instructed him to draft a memorandum for the increase.

– READ: The Zondo commission hears more evidence related to Transnet

But Laher denied it. He said that he was, in fact, under Singh’s orders.

Test leader Anton Myburgh said: “Mr. Callard is implicating him in the R1 billion price increase.”

Laher denied it, saying: “I would not have approved the price, I had no delegation. It was approved by the steering committee. So, I can’t be responsible for something that I can’t approve. ”

Laher said that he told his bosses that he did not agree with raising the price of a contract from R3.8 billion to R4.8 billion, but then Singh had him write memos that were sent to other colleagues.

He said, “Mr. Singh told me to contact Mr. Callard and ask him to update the net worth number.”

When asked why he said, “I don’t understand why he asked me because I had another job and I wasn’t working in his office. Mr. Singh was far superior, I was two levels below him and I had to respect his views. If he continued, it would have been insubordination. I don’t know if he knows, but he was awarded South Africa CFO of the year. ”

Laher denied being responsible for these decisions, leading to billions of dollars in losses, but it is clear that his proximity to Singh was undeniable.

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