Siyabonga Gama, chief executive of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and the longest-serving member of the executive team, will act as Transnet’s group chief executive (GCE) with immediate effect.

The decision follows Brian Molefe’s secondment to the role of interim chief executive at beleaguered electricity provider Eskom, last week. Gama will assume the responsibilities of the GCE for the duration of Molefe’s secondment.

Gama has served Transnet with “enthusiasm, zeal and diligence,” since 1994, reads a statement issued by TFR.

As chief executive of TFR, Gama is credited with transforming the operating division from yearly losses of around R21 million in 2005 to R5,1 billion profit in the last financial year.

Gama also served as the first chief executive of the National Ports Authority, among other roles at Transnet.

The TFR statement describes Gama as an experienced and highly regarded executive, both within and outside Transnet.