logo
Explosive report into Prasa contracts

Explosive report into Prasa contracts

eNCA05-06-2025
CAPE TOWN - A draft forensic report by law firm Webber Wentzel into Prasa reveals disturbing corruption at Passenger Rail.
It shows how the state owned entity has been bleeding money on sub standard contracts,
some of which were unnecessary and others that were never completed.
WATCH | Open Secrets wants Hawks to finalise PRASA investigation findings
A News24 article has detailed how Prasa was overcharged, defrauded, and exploited,
with findings that some contractors over-inflated prices by 2000% .
The report has also found that some trains are being repaired only to be left at depots.
These repairs have already cost the entity R2.5 billion rand.
Following the explosive report, ActionSA has written to the Transport Minister demanding accountability.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

State recovers R2.5m from G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre
State recovers R2.5m from G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre

The Citizen

timea day ago

  • The Citizen

State recovers R2.5m from G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre

According to information submitted by G4S to the Department of Correctional Services, disciplinary measures have been taken against employees. The Department of Correctional Services has recovered R2.5 million from private contractor Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts following corruption, security breaches, and delayed incident reporting at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald revealed that 51 G4S employees have faced disciplinary action since April 2023. Major financial recovery and staff dismissals Groenewald disclosed that 'the total amount recovered from the Contractor Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC) since inception of the Contract amounts to R2 547 216.43.' The recovery stems from financial penalties imposed due to corruption, security breaches, and failure to report incidents in a timely manner at the facility. The minister was responding to questions from EFF MP Betty Diale about disciplinary actions taken against G4S officials at the troubled correctional centre. He said G4S operates as a sub-contractor under Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts, overseeing daily operations at the facility. ALSO READ: EMPD and Saps officers to appear in court for corruption and theft Disciplinary actions against G4S staff According to information submitted by G4S to the Department of Correctional Services, significant disciplinary measures have been taken against employees. Between April 2023 and the present, 19 staff members were suspended, 12 were dismissed, and 20 resigned before investigations could be concluded. 'The Contractor (G4S) has internal disciplinary procedures/processes which they exercise over their employees who have been found to be implicated in corruption, security violations and the dereliction of duties,' Groenewald explained. ALSO READ: Seven Mangaung prison officials suspended after murder of inmate [VIDEO] Department's limited authority over private contractor The minister clarified that the Department of Correctional Services has limited control over regulating the disciplinary proceedings against G4S officials. 'The matter is handled by the Contractor through their internal disciplinary processes,' Groenewald stated. However, he stated that the department retains significant oversight powers. The DCS has the authority to suspend or withdraw certificates of operation for G4S employees under Section 109 of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998. The contract also allows the department to issue observation notices for non-compliance. The agreement stipulates that 'the Contractor will, if it is in the reasonable opinion of the DCS, refuse admission to or remove a Staff member if that member is guilty of misconduct or incapable of performing his duties efficiently.' ALSO READ: It costs taxpayers between R800 and R1 000 a month to feed an inmate Oversight mechanisms and supervision The Supervisory Committee plays a crucial role in managing the public-private partnership. Groenewald revealed that 'the Supervisory Committee convenes every two to three months to adjudicate over observation notices.' The committee's decisions carry significant weight in the contractual relationship. 'Once the Supervisory Committee has given notice of its ruling to the parties and no notice of dissatisfaction has been given by either party 14 Days after the day on which the parties received the Committee's ruling, then the Committee's ruling shall become final and binding upon the Parties,' the minister explained. Independent oversight structure The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) serves as the primary independent oversight body for the facility. Groenewald described JICS as 'the primary body responsible for this oversight to ensure the fair and humane treatment of inmates across all correctional centres, including the two private facilities.' As an independent entity, JICS inspects correctional centres, monitors inmate treatment, and reports on conditions and potential corruption within the system to Parliament. This oversight extends to both public facilities and the two private correctional centres operating in South Africa. READ NEXT: Here's the amount of drugs that were confiscated in SA's prisons last year

Court challenge to ‘quiet change' by parliament letting MPs off the hook
Court challenge to ‘quiet change' by parliament letting MPs off the hook

TimesLIVE

time2 days ago

  • TimesLIVE

Court challenge to ‘quiet change' by parliament letting MPs off the hook

Hundreds of activists marched from Cape Town's civic centre to parliament on Tuesday as the civil society coalition #UniteBehind challenged the constitutionality of a new code of conduct by parliament which they argue lets MPs accused of wrongdoing evade justice. UniteBehind lodged complaints in 2022 against six MPs implicated in state capture by the state capture inquiry at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). In April 2023 it took parliament's ethics committee to court for failing to act on the complaints. Parliament argued the outcome of the case would be academic or moot because a new code of conduct did not make provision for MPs who resigned to be investigated. UniteBehind seeks to have the new code declared unconstitutional. Protesters gathered shortly after 10am and made their way to parliament via Adderley Street. They carried placards reading ' gatvol of corruption' and 'don't protect corrupt MPs'. They also chanted ' phansi corruption, phansi '. Outside parliament Imam Rashied Omar addressed the crowd, saying they were not enemies of the state but 'conscientious and responsible South African citizens'. 'This code of ethics or code of conduct, it's not a safeguard for integrity; it is a shield for corruption. It allows MPs who are implicated in serious allegations of corruption to simply walk away from justice by resigning before investigations are completed,' he said.

No bail yet for twins linked to Prasa manager Jacob Khoaele's death
No bail yet for twins linked to Prasa manager Jacob Khoaele's death

The Herald

time2 days ago

  • The Herald

No bail yet for twins linked to Prasa manager Jacob Khoaele's death

An attorney representing twins Vukile and Vukani Mchunu, 35, who are linked to the murder of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) regional manager Jacob Khoaele on January 22, has slammed the delays in the siblings' bail application. On Tuesday the pair's bail application suffered a setback after prosecutor Carlson Govender told court the state was not ready to proceed and asked for the matter to be postponed. He said investigating officer Sgt Nkosinathi Madonsela couldn't attend the hearing as he was busy with other duties which included processing a fourth suspect, Mthandeni Cele, linked to the death. The resident prosecutor, Calvin Govender, was also not available. The twins are charged with Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, 38, and Cele, 24, who have abandoned their bail application and are represented by Mondli Mjoka. Khoaele, 53, died in a hail of bullets in his vehicle on Shelbourne Avenue, La Lucia.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store