Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is expected to release her report on an investigation into allegations of maladministration at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) on Monday afternoon.

The report was initially meant to be released on July 23, however according to her office, “implicated parties” approached her on July 22 requesting that she postponed the release “on the basis that they wished to make representations to her on issues that are central to the investigation”.

Prasa CEO Lucky Montana was axed by the agency on July 16.

In 2012, the SA Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) reported allegations of corruption and tender irregularities at the agency to the public protector.

The union alleged that Montana was responsible for wasteful expenditure and had violated sections of the Public Finance Management Act.

It reportedly claimed he irregularly awarded tenders worth an estimated R1bn.

According to the Sunday Times, Madonsela’s provisional report pointed a finger at Montana and found a number of incidents amounted to improper conduct, wasteful expenditure or maladministration.

One of the findings was reportedly that a R1.1bn contract to provide stations with high-speed access gates was awarded improperly to a company after tender procedures were not followed.

Montana has opened a fraud, blackmail, and corruption cases against Prasa chair Popo Molefe and two other Prasa executives.

He also claimed that his dismissal was illegal. – News24

Source: News 24 wire