Peters denies probe claim
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, pictured, yesterday denied that she had stopped an investigation into possible corruption involving contracts worth billions of rands at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
“It is categorically denied that the minister, at any stage, instructed any member of the Prasa board or administration to stop any investigation of any nature,” said a statement issued by the department of transport.
She was responding to claims by the DA a day earlier suggesting that she wrote a letter asking Prasa to stop the investigation into irregularities and contracts awarded during former CEO Lucky Montana’s tenure.
“We have noted with deep concern media reports that placed in the public discourse inaccurate statements alleging the Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters, has instructed the board of Prasa to stop ongoing investigations into contracts worth billions of rands awarded by Prasa,” the transport department said.
“We wish to place on record that the allegations are both malicious and a deliberate distortion of the truth. Minister Peters, as a shareholder in Prasa, has the responsibility to ensure that Prasa delivers on its core mandate and that such delivery is underpinned by prudent and good governance principles.”
The department said publicised matters pertaining to Prasa had suggested that the administration and the board were in shambles and disarray.
“The gloomy picture painted about the entity of the transport family warranted urgent and decisive intervention. To that extent, the minister engaged the board of Prasa and both parties agreed that priority be placed at improving good governance and bringing about stability at the entity.”
The department said the minister’s appreciation of these matters led to the secondment of the acting CEO, Collins Letsoalo, with the sole purpose of improving internal controls, stabilising the administration and inculcating prudent financial management in the entity. – ANA
It is denied that the minister instructed any member of the Prasa board or administration to stop any investigation of any nature.