THE suspension of Coega Development Corporation CEO, Khwezi Tiya, is linked to the “state capture” that is continuing under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
This claim was made by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim on Wednesday, 22 November.
Jim said the union was “extremely irritated and disgusted” by the persistent attacks on black executives who are committed to turning around state-owned enterprises (SOEs), only for their efforts to be sabotaged by factions of the ANC who want to loot them for the benefit of the private sector.
“Numsa has consistently warned about the capture of SOEs which is happening right now under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa and we have been ignored because Ramaphosa is the darling of the banks, private capital, and the media houses that they own and control,” he said.
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He claimed that Mzansi was suffering perpetual load shedding because of this form of state capture.
He said SOEs, including Eskom, South African Airways, and Transnet have been destroyed to justify the involvement of the private sector.
He said the CDC was a great example of a successful state-owned company that has a strong reputation for efficiency and professionalism.
Jim said: “The Coega Special Economic Zone houses various automakers including VW, China’s BAIC and FAW Trucks, as well as component suppliers. It has a dozen automotive sector investors, and these generate approximately $5,3 billion. It has created over 3 000 jobs, and our members are beneficiaries of some of these jobs.
"This is why Numsa is concerned about the announcement that the CEO, Khwezi Tiya has been placed on suspension.”
Tiya was placed on precautionary suspension three weeks ago.
No reasons were given, with the board only saying it was an internal matter.
Jim lashed out at the board for making the announcement without disclosing the reasons for his suspension.
