Siza Mzimela named new Transnet Freight Rail boss

South Africa’s state-owned rail, port and pipeline company Transnet, has announced that it has appointed Siza Mzimela as the chief executive of Transnet Freight Rail, which is the largest division of the company.

In the division, Mzimela will be managing Transnet’s rail network and infrastructure across South Africa that connects with other rail networks in sub-Saharan Africa.

Transnet confirmed Mzimela’s appointment and several other executive appointments.

Prior to the Transnet appointment, Mzimela was interim CEO at challenged South African regional carrier SA Express, where she had returned having led the airline between 2003 and 2010.

“In just 18 months, and against incredible odds, the board and management, made huge strides to restore the airline,” SA Express said in a statement. “All malfeasance that led to the corrosion of governance structures was eradicated.”

Mzimela’s appointment at Transnet follows the announcement by SA Express on March 30, 2020 that she resigned at the state-owned airline as acting CEO to “pursue other opportunities”.

Mzimela was appointed at SA Express in August 2018 to restructure and clean up the airline.

Mzimela’s departure could not have come at a worse time for SA Express as it is on the verge of liquidation because its business rescue practitioners have given up on restructuring the airline.