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Siyabonga Gama, who is challenging the board of Transnet's decision to sack him from his position as group chief executive of the state railway company, says that Transnet contravened its own processes.
Earlier on Friday the Labour Court ordered that the matter of his termination be referred for arbitration, BusinessLive reported.
Responding to the outcome of the case, Gama told Fin24 via a Whatsapp message that he had to approach the courts to stop the board from terminating his employment contract.
“At all material times my attorneys and myself advised and urged Transnet to respect the terms of the employment agreement that stated clearly that any dispute between the parties should be referred to arbitration.
"Transnet contravened its own disciplinary code that states that employees are entitled to a disciplinary hearing. I had no choice but to approach the court to stop the board from terminating my employment contract in breach of its terms and provisions," he said.
In September, Transnet board chairperson Popo Molefe issued a statement indicating that Gama was served with a notice of termination. The reasons relate to alleged "serious violations" of his "financial, procurement and fiduciary responsibilities" as CEO.
The board had lost trust and confidence in Gama's ability to lead Transnet, the statement read.
Gama told Fin24 that he can "rebut all accusations" leveled against him, "with proper facts before a credible judge in an impartial process".
"I invite Transnet to honour the employment contract," he said.
Transnet is considering the judgment, and will be guided by its legal team on the matter, spokesperson Molatwane Likhethe said.
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