Cabinet on Wednesday appointed Siyabonga Gama as group CE of Transnet‚ after a year of acting in the position during which the board and the department of public enterprises deliberated over the post.

Appointments to key positions in state-owned enterprises are strongly politicised and are a great source of tension both within the ANC and the government.

 While Mr Gama was the clear front runner for the job with both the expertise and experience – he has worked his way up the ranks since he started at Transnet in 1994 — his appointment was complicated by political dynamics as well as by his own transgressions in the past‚ when he faced disciplinary action over the award of Transnet tenders.

 Public Enterprises minister Lynne Brown said that Mr Gama’s “extensive experience in transport logistics and infrastructure as well as his commitment to transformation have been key considerations in confirming the appointment”.

Ms Brown said: “Transnet is one of the success stories of State-Owned Companies where the fruits of succession planning are evident. This can also be seen in the appointment of Gary Pita as the Transnet’s Chief Financial Officer in March this year.”

Former CE Brian Molefe permanently left the company in September. Mr Gama has been acting in the position since April last year‚ when Mr Molefe was first asked to step in at Eskom.