Treasurer who stood up for toxic Transnet feared for her life

Mathane Makgatho, the former Transnet Treasurer told the Zondo Commission that she eventually resigned in 2014 from the state-owned enterprise because she felt her life was at risk and with four young children, she could not play Superwoman. She told the commission that several other officials at the Transnet followed her because of the toxic environment created by her bosses Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh who saw the straight-talking Makgatho as an obstacle to their pact with the Guptas to loot Transnet. Despite trying time and time again to prevent Regiments, a Gupta-linked firm from becoming involved in securing a $2.5 billion loan from the China Development Bank for the purchase of new locomotives, which she believed Transnet was more than capable of doing itself; she could not convince Transnet’s managers. She was made to believe Taiwanese mafia were involved in the deal. The article was republished with permission from the Daily Maverick. - Linda van Tilburg