THE Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has fired an employee for stealing more than R30 million.
Prasa said on Friday, 24 November, that its internal investigation revealed that the fraudulent activities were committed on two different occasions.
“During routine financial review processes, irregular payments were detected, prompting escalation to senior leadership. With the assistance of Prasa Internal Audit department, management engaged an existing independent supplier to conduct a forensic investigation,” the agency said on Friday.
Prasa said that the investigation revealed three fraudulent transactions committed by the employee totalled R9 547 000.
On being interrogated by the investigators, the employee admitted to committing the fraud and subsequently returned the stolen funds.
Prasa immediately suspended the employee and reported the matter to the police.
The agency said it continued the internal investigation and unearthed additional fraudulent transactions by the same individual amounting to R24 976 747.
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Upon interrogation, the same employee also confessed to these additional unauthorised transactions.
“As an outcome of the process, the employee was dismissed, and a fraud case against him is pending. The investigation helped pinpoint internal control deficiencies that enabled the fraud. Prasa has introduced enhanced measures to bolster internal controls and prevent future fraud.
In May, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga dismissed board chairman Leonard Ramatlakane from the board for unauthorised use of a luxury residential property reserved for travelling Prasa executives, according to internal sources.
Prasa said it had introduced enhanced measures to bolster internal controls and prevent future fraud.
“Prasa's management remains committed to upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability. Going forward, the organisation will remain vigilant against potential financial irregularities,” the agency said.
