A struggle which the Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) had undertaken for years on behalf of Transnet pensioners for compensation for damages, which members of the pension fund have suffered over the past 20 years due to alleged maladministration of the fund, has now led to the launching of the largest civil claim in South Africa’s legal history against Transnet and the government.
The FF Plus, following numerous enquiries and meetings with Transnet pensioners in the past couple of years, undertook to handle the injustice perpetrated against them politically and legally and would try to resolve it.
The FF Plus has fulfilled the first part of the undertaking, i.e. to take Transnet and the government to court for damages which its pensioners had suffered. A civil claim was instituted on Friday (26 April 2013) at the Pretoria High Court.
What makes the case so historical is underscored by the following:
- The claim amounts to nearly R90 billion. It is the largest legal claim in the history of South Africa and naturally also the largest class action;
- The extent of the case is clear if it is taken into account that it is a claim worth twice the value of the arms deal;
- The claim could break Transnet financially and the mere institution of the claim could lead to a serious downgrading of Transnet’s credit status and most likely that of the state also;
- The claim arises from probably the largest alleged fraud which has been committed with a pension fund;
- The claim affects 66 000 pensioners and their dependents, of which 62% at present receive less than R2 500 monthly.
The FF Plus will be announcing what the intra-parliamentary strategy will entail in conjunction to the legal strategy, now that legal proceedings have been instituted.