Call for probe, heads to roll at Prasa

THE Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) board “must fall” and be investigated, say fed up MPs.

The tables were turned yesterday when the Prasa board and management were hauled over the coals for being “corrupt” and over their handling of former acting CEO Collins Letsoalo’s firing.

Instead MPs seemingly shielding Letsoalo, focused on the board, calling for them to be fired.

The board had appeared before the transport portfolio committee to brief it on the status of Metrorail.

Letsoalo also came head-to-head and clashed with the Prasa board which terminated his contract, accusing them of lying over his 350% salary increase.

MPs from all parties didn’t mince their words as they called for a comprehensive inquiry into the passenger rail agency.

ANC MP Thivhali Mulaudzi said he was not surprised board chairman Popo Molefe was not present.

“There’s no governance in Prasa, to make it clear. You are accompanied by 10 members who are acting and they’re senior members. It means you are not doing anything as a board there,” said Mulaudzi.

On the issue of the 350% salary increment for Letsoalo, he said he was “very surprised” to hear Molefe say on radio that the board was not aware.

“Every time when we sit here, instead of talking the way forward for Prasa and future, instead we are just talking about problems, corruption … As a member of the committee, through the chairperson, how about this board be suspended, because we said long before that this board must fall,” said Mulaudzi.

He said parliament should launch a “comprehensive inquiry” and force board members to pay back money that they “played with recklessly”.

DA MP Manny de Freitas said the Prasa saga was like a “soap opera”.

“This is very disappointing and embarrassing for South Africa,” said De Freitas.

Board member Tefetso Phitsane said he was disappointed with the manner MPs were treating the board.

“I’m doing so much but not being rewarded.

“I’m losing so much.” — TMG