PRASA scandal deepens: R7.5bn rail project centre of focus

A HIGH-level investigation into procurement irregularities at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has intensified, following a dramatic raid by the Hawks at the agency’s Braamfontein headquarters.

- SIFISO MAHLANGU [e-mail]

While public attention has largely focused on Maziya General Services following the release of a whistleblower report, mounting evidence now suggests that some of PRASA’s most serious procurement failures - costing taxpayers billions - may lie elsewhere. Last week Wednesday, the Hawks’ Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, supported by the National Prosecuting Authority's Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, executed a search-and-seizure operation.

Laptops, mobile phones, and documents were taken from four of PRASAs top executives: CEO Hishaam Emeran, acting chief procurement officer Asif Rehman, head of legal Nompumelelo Gamedze-Phasha, and chief financial officer Brian Alexander.

Brigadier Thandi Mambo, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that the operation formed part of an ongoing investigation, but declined to comment further. “To protect the integrity of our investigation, we cannot disclose details at this time,’ she said.