THE Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has confirmed that it has been served with an urgent application instituted by the former Group Group Chief Executive Officer, Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews, who is seeking to interdict his already finalised termination of employment.
Earlier this month, the board of PRASA unanimously resolved to terminate with immediate effect the employment contract of Matthews after an investigation by seasoned senior counsel made adverse findings against him.
The senior counsel investigated whether Matthews deliberately and intentionally failed to disclose material information to PRASA in respect of his dual citizenship.
The State Security Agency has since declined to issue Matthews top-secret security clearance or any other security clearance.
In a statement on Wednesday, PRASA Board Chairperson Leonard Ramatlakane said the former Group CEO, amongst others, seeks to interdict the agency from communicating with the media in respect of his already concluded termination of employment.
“PRASA will vehemently oppose this meritless application and it will seek an appropriate cost order against Matthews. PRASA will only entertain media enquiries concerning this matter once the court has issued its judgment,” Ramatlakane said.
Matthews is taking the entity to the Labour Court in Johannesburg to challenge his dismissal.
In Labour Court papers, Matthews named Prasa board chair, Prasa itself, and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula as respondents.
Matthews said he was applying for an interdict against the finalisation of his dismissal, pending arbitration processes or an alternative legal process.
“In this application I seek an interdict pending the final determination of the dispute I have initiated with my employer, Prasa. Such determination may either be by way of arbitration, or some other legal proceedings in this or other competent court. The matter is being considered by my legal advisors and they will advise me of the best course to follow,” said Matthews.
Matthews said the speed with which his security clearance matter with the SSA was concluded “raised suspicions”, adding that before the SSA declined him security clearance, he was already a member of the Prasa board.
“In a space of less than 10 days I was charged, suspended, investigated and summarily dismissed. My purported dismissal is baseless and I will challenge it in this application. I seek the court’s assistance to preserve the status quo ante pending the determinations of Part B [of this application],” Matthews said.
