PHUTI MOSOMANE
Optimum Coal Mine has signed an Acknowledgement of Debt (AoD) with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to pay back approximately R 6.9 million in six instalments, in unpaid motor licensing fees and penalties accrued between January 2018 and November 2022.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the nonpayment of motor licensing fees is a contravention of Regulation 18 of National Road Traffic Act of 1996.
The acknowledgement of debt agreement emanates from the SIU’s investigation which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the National and Provincial departments of transport.
The SIU’s investigation focused on any conduct by officials or agents of the Department or any other person which relate to the registration of motor vehicle ownership and/or licensing details and non-payments of motor vehicle licensing fees, arrears, and penalties.
Kganyago said the SIU analysed the information obtained from the Department of Transport and Road Traffic Management Centre as well as eNatis data.
“After sifting through eNatis data, the SIU has determined that the Department is owed the sum of R 6 914 304.52 in respect of the trucks and smaller vehicles owned by Optimum,” he said.
The SIU then wrote a letter of demand to Optimum to pay the licensing fees, arrears, and accumulated penalties on those vehicles. Optimum will pay the debt in six equal instalments of R1 152 384.09.
The last payment will be in August 2023.
However, Kganyago said the signing of the AoD does not exempt other legal processes from being actioned.
The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
In line with the SIU and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU referred any evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action, he said.
In 2015, Glencore agreed to sell Optimum mine to the Gupta owned Tageta Mining and Exploration for R2.15 billion. At the time, the company was facing business rescue.
Following allegations of state capture, Optimum was eventually placed under business rescue in 2018.
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