Transport minister Barbara Creecy has restructured the boards of key utilities under her department, saying serious governance failures had necessitated this.
Creecy said new appointments were aimed at restoring “governance, stability and efficiency” in the sector.
The minister said there needed to be “renewed vigour” in the transport sector to tackle challenges and ensure entities were operated and maintained to support the country’s long-term economic growth and development.
She said there were “serious governance failures” and neglect of fiduciary duties, which led to operational instability and frequent default judgments against some entities.
She told a media briefing on Friday that the country needed its transport utilities to be firing on all cylinders in view of the 30% tariff imposed on SA by the US.
The government has already announced a number of measures to mitigate the tariffs, including the search for new markets.
“To this end, we must assure the country that we will do all within our power to rebuild and modernise the capabilities, operational effectiveness and competitiveness of the state-owned component of our logistics sector. Good governance of our transport entities is central to their effective performance,” Creecy said.
She appointed an interim board for the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
“It became urgent and necessary to close the governance vacuum in the RAF leadership, the interim board will provide strategic direction, restore financial and governance stability, and work towards fulfilling the RAF’s critical mandate to the public.”
The interim board will be chaired by Kenneth Brown, with Nonhlanhla Mabusela-Aikhuere as vice-chairperson. Other members include Ntswaki Kutumela, Innocentia Mmule Pule, Richard Dyantyi, Mpontshane Alfred Mkhipheni, Alfredina Themba and Neeshan Balton.
The interim board will serve for six months or until a permanent one is appointed.
Creecy also announced a new board for SAA, led by chairperson Sedzani Faith Mudau, a qualified chartered accountant and former SAA employee.
The airline, which has returned to profitability after emerging from business rescue in 2021, aims to grow its fleet from 20 to more than 50 aircraft by 2030 without relying on new government guarantees.
“I am confident this new board will build on the strong foundation laid by the outgoing interim board, using the airline’s debt-free balance sheet and ring-fenced liquidity, they will implement a bold fleet expansion plan to ensure SAA remains competitive and financially independent,” Creecy said.
Khulekelwe Mbonambi, a chartered accountant has been appointed as a non-executive director on Transnet’s board.
Creecy said the addition of Mbonambi would help strengthen the company’s financial oversight as it worked to stabilise operations and improve freight logistics and port services.
“The appointment of Ms Mbonambi is a vital step towards strengthening Transnet’s board, her expertise will help boost trade growth, improve freight logistics and port services, and ultimately create jobs across SA.”
She said the leadership changes formed part of a broader strategy to modernise and rebuild the capabilities of the state-owned transport sector to support the country’s long-term economic growth.
“The appointment shall be aligned to the remaining period of the board’s first term, which is due to expire in July 2026,” Creecy said.
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