
Explosive report into Prasa contracts
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.

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The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Here's why employers can't use NDAs to hide harassment in the workplace
NDAs are generally enforceable under South African contract law, provided they are reasonable in scope and duration, and do not violate public policy. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) have been criticised for silencing victims of workplace harassment in several jurisdictions. However, unlike most countries, South Africa's legal framework provides protection against workplace harassment. If an NDA is found to be used to cover harassment, the employer could remain liable, regardless of the existence of the agreement. An NDA is a legally binding contract that ensures confidential information shared between parties remains private. This agreement is important for protecting trade secrets, business plans and other confidential data. Dhevarsha Ramjettan, partner at Webber Wentzel law firm, says NDAs are generally enforceable under South African contract law, provided they are reasonable in scope and duration, and do not violate public policy. ALSO READ: Can you get fired for being racist? Here is what employers and employees need to know Acts protecting employees The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA), and the Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000 (PDA) offer protections to employees who report harassment or discrimination. 'While the EEA does not expressly prohibit NDAs, any agreement that silences victims of harassment or discrimination arguably undermines the purpose of the EEA,' says Ramjettan. 'Section 6 of the EEA prohibits unfair discrimination and harassment. Victims may not be prevented from reporting such conduct to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Labour Court or Equity Court.' Harassment in a workplace She says the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace (Harassment Code), issued under the EEA, aims to eradicate all forms of workplace harassment. It provides a formal mechanism for reporting discrimination or harassment. 'The Harassment Code also holds employers vicariously liable for employees' conduct unless they can demonstrate that reasonable steps were taken to prevent and address such behaviour. 'These provisions arguably prohibit the use of NDAs to silence complainants or avoid accountability.' ALSO READ: Corporate Mental Health Week: Is your boss a narcissist or a psychopath? Act that overrides NDAs Kanyiso Kezile, trainee attorney at Webber Wentzel, says section 2 of the PDA provides that any clause in a contract of employment or other agreement that seeks to exclude or waive rights under the PDA is void. This includes agreements preventing the institution or continuation of proceedings under the PDA. This statutory override invalidates any NDA (or other contractual term) that seeks to silence whistleblowers. 'Notably, the PDA defines disclosure broadly as any disclosure of information about the conduct of an employer or employee, made by a person who reasonably believes that the information shows, among other things, unfair discrimination as contemplated in the EEA or the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act 4 of 2000 (PEPUDA).' Mental health of employees He adds that under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHSA), employers are obligated to provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to employees' health, which includes the mental health of employees. 'If employers rely on NDAs to conceal harassment rather than address the underlying issues, they may fail to meet this obligation. As a result, contracts attempting to circumvent these responsibilities may be rendered unenforceable.' It is advisable that employers carefully review settlement agreements to ensure compliance with statutory obligations under the relevant legislation. 'Any clauses that prevent employees from reporting harassment or discrimination to regulatory bodies such as the CCMA, Labour Court, or Equity Court should be avoided, as these are likely to be deemed unenforceable and contrary to public policy.' NOW READ: Can a company to be held liable for employee's suicide?

The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Woman sentenced to 13 years for R2. 5 million Old Mutual investment fraud
A 37-year-old woman has been handed a 13-year prison sentence for orchestrating a massive R2.5 million fraud scheme, deceiving unsuspecting Old Mutual clients and laundering the stolen funds. Thoko Evelyn Ndlovu was convicted on August 8 by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Court for 80 counts of fraud and one count of money laundering. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba revealed that since 2015, Ndlovu had been defrauding Old Mutual clients in Marble Hall of their hard-earned money. The court found that Ndlovu convinced Old Mutual clients to invest or purchase shares by directing them to deposit money into her personal Nedbank account, fully aware that she intended to use the funds for her benefit instead of transferring them to the company's account. Ledwaba explained that after five years of investing their hard-earned money, the clients realised they were not receiving the expected updates from Old Mutual, confirming the maturity dates of their investments, prompting them to contact Old Mutual for clarification. 'They went to Old Mutual to inquire about their investments, and that was when they were surprised to learn that their information was not recorded on the Old Mutual system.' Following an investigation by Old Mutual, clients were encouraged to file reports at their local police stations. Fraud and money laundering cases were then formally opened and handed over to Sergeant Ellias Mathenji for further probing. Sergeant Mathenji uncovered that the accused had been using her personal bank account to carry out the crimes, providing crucial evidence in the case. Ndlovu was arrested in March 2023 and granted bail of R50,000 until July 17, 2025. She was found guilty, convicted, and sentenced on August 8, and was also declared unfit to possess firearms. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has welcomed the conviction and subsequent sentencing. The Star [email protected]

The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Alleged hitman linked to Prasa regional manager's death appears in court
A KwaZulu-Natal man who is alleged to have carried out a hit on Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) regional manager Jacob Khoaele on January 22 made a brief appearance in the Durban magistrate's court on Monday. Khoaele, 53, died in a hail of bullets in his vehicle on Shelbourne Avenue, La Lucia. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said on Saturday detectives had made a breakthrough in the case when they arrested a fourth suspect in connection with Khoaele's death. Mthandeni Cele, 24, was arrested at the Scottburgh magistrate's court where he was appearing in an unrelated case of house robbery and attempted murder involving a homeowner who was shot and his vehicle stolen on November 11 2024. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. He told the court he plans to enlist his own private legal representative. Netshiunda said the murder investigation was handed to provincial serious and violent crime, murder and robbery detectives who cracked the case and arrested twins Vukani and Vukile Mchunu aged 35 on July 27. Investigations also pointed to Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo, 38, as the alleged mastermind behind the killing. Ngcobo made his first appearance on August 4 and is also an accused in a triple murder and attempted murder case in which he allegedly shot dead three people accused of murder in Msinsini in 2021. 'The three had just appeared in court when they were shot dead in a vehicle in Hibberdene on June 27 2024. A passer-by also sustained a gunshot wound during the incident,' said Netshiunda. Magistrate Ashwin Singh rolled the matter over to Tuesday and urged Cele to have his lawyer present. TimesLIVE