Disagreeing with Brian Molefe would have been ‘professional suicide’
A former Transnet employee told the state capture inquiry that the former CEO’s demeanour changed as soon as he objected to the awarding of a tender
Former Transnet CEO Brian Molefe’s “relaxed demeanour” changed very quickly when a subordinate disagreed with him over the awarding of a lucrative tender, the state capture commission heard on Monday. Chartered accountant and former Transnet employee, Gerhard van der Westhuizen, detailed how Molefe became annoyed over the matter. At issue was Molefe’s controversial decision to overturn the awarding of a system network contract to Neotel, giving it to his preferred bidder T-Systems instead. Van der Westhuizen said while he was in “violent disagreement” with Molefe over the issue, he was cognisant that his career could be shortlived if he did not comply with Molefe’s instruction. “I don’t think I had much of a choice, I thought my employment would be ended,” he told the commission, which is chaired by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo. “My objections would be tantamount to professional suicide … If I didn’t do what I was told to do.” Van der Westhuizen explained that Molefe was in ...
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