is just one of six organisations, including the Association of South African Chambers, in the country that have written to Gordhan calling for his intervention in the state-owned entity. The Durban chamber represents 3 000 businesses in eThekwini metro. to make recommendations to address the state-ownedTransnet reported a loss of R5.7 billion in 2022-23 and a drop of 23.6 million tonnes in rail freight, down to 149.5 million tonnes.
The chamber said it had written to Derby after she made a “damaging statement” in the media about possible job losses in the road logistics sector when freight rail services improve, and about not having manufacturing in South Africa. “The business community needs a clear presentation on the decision regarding [Durban Container Terminal] Pier 2, with the new investors, what is the timeline, what improvements will come to our ports. We need a clear understanding of comments made regarding the rail and truck issues. We need the CEO to clearly explain her comments regarding not having manufacturing take place in our country,” the chamber said.
“Over and above these issues, we need [these] urgent matters addressed, which are internal however are having a negative effect on the business community externally. “The South African economy is highly reliant on the logistics sector; hence, an efficient state-owned entity and port will positively impact the entire value chain, from trucking companies to the receiving businesses. As the Durban chamber, we firmly believe that Transnet is a critical state infrastructure that cannot be allowed to fail or left to operate in disarray and fall into mismanagement.”
Gordhan said in a statement on Monday that he had noted correspondence from the Association of South African Chambers in which its members called for “decisive action to resolve the issues impacting the economy because of Transnet’s underperformance”.