STAFF REPORTER|
FORMER Transnet chief executive officer (CEO) Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh, the parastatal’s former finance boss, were arrested on Monday morning in connection with a R93-million corruption and fraud case linked to the procurement of 1 064 locomotives in 2015.
The arrests took place on Monday morning and were carried out by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate, assisted by members of the Hawks.
Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the arrests were affected through arrangements with legal representatives.
“The individuals were arrested by the NPA’s Investigating Directorate assisted by the Hawks,” said Seboka.
“They are expected to appear this morning at the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court.”
Molefe and Singh have each been granted R50,000 bail.
They are due in the special sitting of the Commercial Crimes Court in the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court on October 14.
The NPA said the former Transnet executives and their co-accused are charged with contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and fraud, while the other accused are charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Meanwhile, Siyabonga Gama, former Transet acting group CFO Garry Pita, former group treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Gupta linked regiments’ shareholder Eric Wood and Trillian asset management director Daniel Roy also appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The accused are charged with contravention of the PFMA, fraud, corruption and money laundering.
The alleged corruption dates back to 2012 when Transnet went on a request for a proposal tender to get transaction advisory services to secure funding for R30bn.
These funds were meant to fund the acquisition of 1 064 locomotives.
In May 2015, Transnet then appointed JB Morgan for advisory services and between July-October 2015 the same officials in Transnet had started facilitating the termination of the JB Morgan contract.
This cancellation was a result of the officials making the decision to appoint Trillian in October 2015.
An invoice of R93.4m was then submitted by Trillian through Daniel Roy, who served as a director to Trillian and the invoice was approved by Pita and Gama, and payment was made on December 3, 2015, to Trillian’s account.
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