Molefe expected to testify
TRANSNET board chairperson Popo Molefe is expected to be among the first witnesses today at the Zondo Commission’s probe into the stateowned company.
Advocate Paul Pretorius, the head of the commission’s legal team, gave a broad overview of the evidence the commission will be probing over the next few weeks.
The commission will first look at the forensic reports that were compiled as part of investigations into Transnet over the past couple of years.
Some of the reports to be probed include the recent Mncedisi Ndlovu and Sedumedi Attorneys report.
This investigation found that former Transnet executives Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh had introduced Gupta-linked Regiments Capital and Trillian Capital to the SOE, which enabled the companies to score millions in consulting fees.
The report found that the companies were illegally favoured and it recommended that Molefe and Singh, including former chief executive officer Siyabonga Gama, be charged for their role in the contracts awarded.
The Werksman report found that Transnet had wasted billions of rand when it changed the terms of a deal to procure more than a 1 000 locomotives. The report said that this was done illegally.
Pretorius said the submissions made to the inquiry were substantive and dealt with a number of key aspects affecting the functioning of Transnet.
“The alleged corruption in relation to the purchase of electric and diesel locomotives involved, among others, senior Transnet executives, board members; importantly, financial advisers and international suppliers, acting in collusion.”
Former Transnet executives had introduced Gupta-linked Trillian Capital to SOE Report