PRASA: Move to grant SIU go-ahead to probe maladministration claims crucial to restoring public trust
The SIU has been given the go-ahead to investigate two disastrous contracts at the entity, as well as the employment of over 1,000 'ghost employees'.
A PRASA depot. Picture: @PRASA_Group/X
JOHANNESBURG - Embattled state-owned rail agency PRASA has described the decision to grant the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) provision to probe allegations of serious maladministration as a crucial move to restoring public trust.
The SIU has been given the go-ahead to investigate two disastrous contracts at the entity, as well as the employment of over 1,000 "ghost employees".
The new proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa empowers the agency to widen its probe to include the Swifambo and Siyangena contracts, salaries paid to fake employees, and the payment of fraudulent liability claims by PRASA's insurance department.
Swifambo was appointed in 2012 to supply locomotives worth R3.5 billion to PRASA, however, the locomotives acquired did not fit the rail network, while the Siyangena contract refers to a R500 million tender to install security systems at rail stations, which later ballooned to almost R3 billion.
PRASA spokesperson Andiswa Makhandana said that the groundwork had already been done following the agency's investigations, which had started at the height of the Zondo Commission.
"The board believes that a great deal of progress has been made in eradicating corruption within the entity and promoting behaviour that is professional and lawful. By combating corruption, PRASA can better fulfil its mandate of providing reliable, efficient, and affordable train services to the people of South Africa. The board urges all PRASA employees to co-operate fully with the SIU investigations."