CORRUPTION crime watchdog is on the tail of two government entities, one of which brings Mzansi's famous influencer’s bae's father into the spotlight once again over a shady tender.
On 19 February, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced that it would be conducting investigations into Home Affairs and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) over serious allegations of maladministration and unlawful conduct by officials.
The order to investigate was given to the unit by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago, the investigation into Home Affairs relates to maladministration among many things including the issuance of permanent residence permits, visas and citizenship by naturalisation.
Kganyago said the SIU will also probe improper or unlawful conduct by Home Affairs officials or employees in relation to the installation of T200 firewalls.
“The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the proclamation,” he said.
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Regarding Prasa, Kganyago said investigations will take a deep dive into ghost employees identified by Prasa’s Project Zivese in August 2021 as well as offences that violated the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004.
The affairs of Prasa are in relation to the awarding of tenders for the supply of various train locomotives to Swifambo Rail Leasing Pty Ltd and the supply and maintenance of an integrated security access management system at various train stations to Siyangena Technologies Pty Ltd, Kganyago explained.
The Swifambo Rail Leasing contract, signed in 2012, was intended to upgrade Prasa's locomotive fleet but nearly collapsed the company's long-distance railway service.
At the centre of the deal contract was businessman Auswell Mashaba, who is the father to entrepreneur and manager of a luxury lodge in Greater Kruger National Park as well as boyfriend to Mzansi's well-known social media influencer.
According to an article published in the Daily Mavrick in 2021, Swifambo landed a R3,5 billion contract to supply 70 trains to Prasa, but only 13 were delivered, as they were deemed too tall for the country's rail infrastructure.
According to the publication, hundreds of million of rands from the contract were allegedly used in a looting spree, including payments to Mashaba's acquaintances, including German rail technology company, Vossloh.
The matter has had its share before the the Zondo Commission. This after it was appointed in January 2018 and once again made a comeback to the SUI investigations into Prasa.
Prasa has since welcomed the investigations.
“Prasa’s Board of Control believes the investigations will further enhance clean and effective governance within the entity and eradicate corruption.
“The Board believes a great deal of progress has been made in eradicating corruption within the organisation and promoting behaviour that's professional and lawful.
“By combating corruption, Prasa will better fulfil its mandate of providing reliable,” Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said.
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