Allegations including maladministration, procurement irregularities, nepotism and victimization of whistle blowers, are some of the findings by Public Protector against Passenger Rail Agency of SA.
Titled ‘Derailed’ the 385 page report according to Adv Thuli Madonsela, says the transactions investigated and related findings reveal a culture of systematic failure to company with the organisation’s Supply Chain Management Policy (SCM).
Madonsela said she investigated 37 complaints, which amount to more than R2.8 billion, but will only make findings and recommendations on 30 of those.
Madonsela found that axed CE Lucky Montana failed to take disciplinary action against five employees implicated in R8 million worth of EFT fraud.
She added that Montana’s termination of contacts of seven cleaning companies also constituted maladministration and abuse of power.
During investigations, says Madonsela, the investigation team struggled to obtain information thus subpoena had to be issued against Prasa.
Some of the complaints were lodged by South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) in 2012 and later pursued by the National Transport Movement.
In his response Montana says the findings by the Public Protector are untrue and malicious.
“I will pursue this matter legally,” he says.
Political parties have called for the minister of Transport Dipuo Peters to intervene.
At the time of publishing Prasa had not responded for comment.
