Six force majeures and some of the world's worst ports: Two years of Transnet's 'tragic decline'

Cable theft, riots, a cyber-attack and Covid-19 – Transnet has seen its share of external challenges in recent years. But with a heavy debt burden, plummeting freight volumes and a loss of critical skills, the state-owned logistics company also faced growing calls for the axing of executives as business leaders grew frustrated with its ongoing failure to thrive.

On Friday, amid mounting pressure and a crackdown from Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, Transnet announced the resignations of two executives: Group Chief Executive Portia Derby and Chief Financial Officer Nonkuleleko Dlamini (the latter for a post at Telkom).