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The United National Transport Union (UNTU) and its affiliated federation, FEDUSA, calls on President Jacob Zuma to remove Lynne Brown from her office as Minister of Public Enterprises until her name is cleared.

Brown’s name had constantly featured the past few months in serious criminal allegations, emanating out of the Gupta leaked e-mails and in evidence from various individuals in the inquiry into state capture by Parliament.

Brown’s name is not only mentioned in relation to Eskom, but she also allegedly misused her position as Minister at Transnet, where UNTU represents most of its employees.

“As a Union we believe all Ministers, like all other public office bearers, should at all times act beyond reproach. When Eskom’s reputation manager, Khulani Qoma, went so far as calling Brown a liar during testimony in the inquiry, it was the last straw.

“The Ministers alleged interference and alleged links to the Gupta-family, in controversial deals is now becoming an embarrassment in the international community for the state-owned enterprises, which reports to her. It is in her best interest and in the best interest of the boarder South African public that she be removed from office until her name is cleared,” says Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.

UNTU has repeatedly in the past year called on President Jacob Zuma to place Transnet and PRASA under the same Minister, preferably the Minister of Transport. These two state owned enterprises are compelled to use the same railway system, they share the same frustrations and if they take hands, they will enhance each other’s service delivery.

Through FEDUSA, UNTU will submit this demand to NEDLAC, to the parliament’s portfolio committee of transport and to the office of the President.

Issued by United National Transport Union