Brian Molefe and co-accused’s R80m Transnet corruption case postponed


By REGINALD KANYANE 

A fraud and Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) case against former Transnet executives, Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, Garry Pita, Phetolo Ramosebudi, as well as Regiments Capital Directors, Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya, Trillian Asset Management’s Director, Daniel Roy (Novum Asset Management), Kuben Moodley, and Albatime Pty Ltd owner, has been postponed by the Johannesburg High Court to 11 October 2024. 

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed to 11 October 2024 for a trial date. Mamothame said all parties agreed that the state would reply by 17 September 2024, to further particulars from the defence attorneys. 

“The state has put it on record that it objects to Adv Shaun Abrahams representing Brian Molefe in the matter, as he was the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), when a strategy was put in place for prosecuting the matter. 

“Judge Mohamed Ismail ordered both parties to resolve the matter within two weeks. Their charges, which include fraud, corruption, and money laundering, stem from the locomotive transaction advisory tender awarded to the McKinsey-led consortium in 2012,” he said. 

Mamothame further said this resulted in the procurement of 1064 locomotives valued at over R54 billion. He added that Regiments Capital, was irregularly brought into the contract and benefited from Transnet’s irregular appointment, increasing the contract’s value and scope to over R305 million. 

“Their services included sourcing loans from the China Development Bank and the Club loan, amounting to $2.5 billion, equivalent to R30 billion at the time, on behalf of Transnet. Additionally, the accused also face charges related to the R93.4 payments to Trillion Asset Management in 2015. 

“The NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) is on course in ensuring that those allegedly responsible for state capture are held accountable and that impunity is no longer a given,” said Mamothame. 

He said all the accused are expected back in court in October when the matter resumes. 

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Medupi: Eskom’s R105bn project


 

 

Lephalale – President Jacob Zuma opened South Africa’s first new power plant in 20 years on Sunday with a warning that the country’s perennial energy shortages were hampering economic growth.


President Jacob Zuma (right) shakes hands with Eskom’s acting chief, Brian Molefe, as Lynne Brown (extreme left) looks on during the official opening of the Medupi power plant on August 30, 2015. Picture: Elmond Jiyane. 
(Credit: GCIS)

Construction on the six-unit, 4 764 MW Medupi plant near Lephalale, about 350km north of Johannesburg, was started in 2007 but the first 794 megawatts (MW) only came online this week after delays due to strikes, technical issues and cost overruns.

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