The business chamber of Durban, the largest port city in Africa, has demanded the removal of top management at Transnet, South Africa’s state logistics company.
- In a letter to Pravin Gordhan, the minister of public enterprises, the chamber expressed dissatisfaction with poorly performing ports and rail lines and a lack of clarity on future expansion plans.
- Palesa Phili, the CEO of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the need for a competent and transparent executive team at Transnet.
- The chamber’s demand aligns with a similar call made by the Minerals Council South Africa, which represents most of the country’s mining companies.
- Transnet has faced challenges, including a decline in coal shipments and poor rankings in a World Bank index of container port performance.
- In response to the letter, Transnet stated that its CEO, Portia Derby, met with Phili and the mayor of Durban to work towards finding solutions, with a joint statement expected to be issued later.
- The Department of Public Enterprises did not respond to emails sent outside of normal business hours, and local media outlet Business Day reported on the letter.