Eight senior executives at Transnet were issued with precautionary suspension letters after the recommendations of past internal audit and forensic reports were not implemented by management.

"The decision to issue precautionary suspensions was taken after a realisation that reports done over a number of years have been piling up, with no follow up. The impression has thus been created that forensic reports findings were only followed up to selected employees," Transnet said on Monday.

The rail, port and pipeline company said that in order to ensure "equity and fairness" to all affected, the company had sourced an external support service to conclude and finalise the recommendations made in the reports.

Transnet Acting Chief Executive, Tau Morwe said the letters were issued to senior executives ranging from general managers to executive managers, some of whom had been implicated in reports dating as far back as 2011.

"Recommendations emanating from the reports were not followed up by the management. We have been receiving anonymous complaints from employees about some of the allegations covered in the reports,” Morwe said.

The executives have been given 48 hours to respond and give reasons as to why they should not be suspended.

Transet spokesperson, Molatwane Likhethe, said that the detailed charges can be pronounced upon once all investigations have been concluded.

"This is all being done pursuant to the objective of ensuring good corporate governance and restorations of the integrity of the company. The suspensions are being handled in an open and transparent manner, and the rights of affected employees respected," Likhethe said.