DA wants rail agency probed
THE DA is planning to lay fraud and corruption charges against former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) boss Lucky Montana, says opposition leader Mmusi Maimane.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela had released a report on Monday following investigations into the 2012 complaint by the National Transport Movement regarding allegations of maladministration and improper conduct involving procurement irregularities at Prasa.
Madonsela recommended that Montana and some senior officials at the agency face disciplinary action.
Maimane said he would also request the Special Investigating Unit to conduct a forensic investigation into the misconduct at Prasa to determine the criminal liability of those implicated.
He said ANC member of the national executive committee Pule Mabe, who benefited in a deal he had with Prasa to publish newsletters, must repay the money paid to him and his company, KG Media.
“The ‘Derailed’ report must be tabled before Parliament, so that its recommendations can be properly moni- tored and enforced by the portfolio committee on transport,” he said.
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has called on the Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate procurement the agency undertook for its rail rolling stock since July 2012.
Numsa president Andrew Chirwa said the investigation should assess whether Prasa complied with legislation.
The Congress of the People said it would also approach the police with the intent of laying a criminal charge against Montana.
The ANC also called for swift action following the release of Madonsela’s findings. “The ANC calls on the Board of Pras and the minister of transport to put in place a process to ascertain the veracity of these allegations,” spokesman Zizi Kodwa said.