Four individuals, including two former senior Transnet officials, have appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their alleged involvement in the multimillion-rand Transnet locomotives tender scandal.
The defendants include former Transnet Group CEO Brian Molefe, former Transnet Group CFO Anoj Singh, and former Regiments Capital Directors Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya.
Molefe and Singh are charged with violating the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and committing fraud, while Pillay and Nyhonhya are charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the National Prosecuting Authority Investigative Directorate (NPA ID), stated that the arrests are vital in the battle against corruption.
“Transnet is regarded as one of the key venues of huge robbery of State finances during the height of the State capture scheme.” The arrest and court appearance of more senior executives today represents a major milestone and the conclusion of our extensive investigations.
“We, in conjunction with the Hawks, will guarantee that we continue to pursue the evidence and arrest and prosecute individuals who are fingered as having been implicated in looting the State’s finances. Johnson added, “As the ID, we have made vows to recapture the State and ensure that impunity is no longer a given.”
Sindisiwe Seboka, a spokesman for the NPA ID, stated that the accused join numerous other accused in the dock.
Former Transnet Group CEO Siyabonga Gama, former Group CFO Garry Pita, former Group Treasurer Phetolo Ramolobudi, Regiments shareholder Eric Wood, current Trillian Asset Management Director Daniel Roy, and Kuben Moodley are the accused.
“The group has been indicted on allegations emanating from the awarding of the locomotives transaction advisory tender to the McKinsey-led consortium in 2012, culminating in the acquisition of 1 064 locomotives valued over R54 billion. Regiments Capital was improperly onboarded and ultimately benefited from Transnet’s irregular appointment in regards to the contract.
“The contract value and scope for the required services were subsequently increased to about R305 million.” This arrangement involved, among other services, the procurement of loans from the China Development Bank and the Club, totaling $2.5 billion, on behalf of Transnet (equivalent to R30 billion at the time). The accused also face charges related to the payment of R93,4 million to Trillian Asset Management in 2015, according to Seboka.
Following their court appearance, Molefe, Singh, Pillay, and Nyhonhya were given bail and are due back in court in October.
“This arrest and court appearance signals a significant move in closing the circle and calling to account all those who are believed to have been at the core of State capture in Transnet, and is one of the seminal cases that the NPA has promised to registering by the end of September,” Seboka said.
Additionally, arrest warrants have been filed for Salim Essa and Ashok Narayan, who is currently abroad.
– SAnews.gov.za