Transnet Accidentally Pays 26k Workers Twice, Leaving SA Unimpressed: “Incompetence at the Highest Levels”

• Some of Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR) employees were paid their salaries twice in the month of January
• The issue was resolved shortly after the payment was made, however, some workers expressed anger
• A number of trade unions claimed that there was no prior agreement to have the money reversed immediately

JOHANNESBURG - Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) employees were paid twice for the month of January due to an error.

The issue is believed to have occurred when the company was switching to new bankers. While the salary issue was rectified in a timely manner, many employees expressed dissatisfaction as TFR allegedly went back on a prior arrangement.

Over 26 000 employees were paid twice. Trade unions met with management on Wednesday, 1 February, and it was allegedly established that workers would be allowed to pay back the money in instalments over the year.

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They claimed that there was no agreement to have the money reversed immediately, according to News24. Employees who bank with FNB and RMB were not affected by the payment issues.

The issue came months after a wage issue was resolved following a strike. At the time, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) proposed an offer of a 6% wage increase to labour unions and Transnet.

Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Prasheen Maharaj told Eyewitness News that he estimated the economy lost R1 billion every day that the ports remain closed. He added that the issue had a negative effect on other businesses too.

Mzansi unfazed by payment error

@discussfreely2 said:

“Incompetence at the highest levels. Nothing surprises me anymore.”

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@JasonHol84 commented:

“Incompetence is no longer a surprise.”

@EllisMaytham wrote:

“Everything for free.”

@Bindex80 posted:

“Not rocket science. Just don't pay them next month. Simple like drinking water.”

@NyathiHerbert added:

“That one is not a train smash, just do not pay them in February, it was an advance anyway.”

Transnet gets R5.8 billion cash injection from state, Enoch Godongwana says it will increase efficiencies

Briefly News also reported that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said government has allocated R5.8 billion to state-owned logistics company Transnet to recover the damage caused by floods and the shortage of locomotives.

He delivered the 2022 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday, 26 October. The company has received funding from the fiscus for the first time in decades.

Source: Briefly News