On Monday morning, the Hawks arrested Transnet “high-profile” executives linked to a R93m case about alleged corruption, state capture and fraud.
In a statement issued at 8am the Investigative Directorate (ID) said the suspects were due in the Palm Ridge magistrate's court at 9am.
They will be added to the existing Transnet state capture case, adding to the list of six current accused. Business Day understands Brian Molefe and at least one other former Transnet executive are among those arrested in an arrangement with their lawyers on Monday morning.
The state’s R93m case against six initial accused — three former Transnet executives including former CEO Siyabonga Gama and three businesspeople — is on the court roll. Gama, former acting CEO Garry Pita and former treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi are in the dock with Regiments shareholder Eric Wood, Trillian co-founder Daniel Roy and Kuben Moodley, an alleged “fixer” for the Guptas.
Business Day previously reported the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) provided significant help to the Investigative Directorate (ID) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and more accused were likely to be arrested. An Outa affidavit upon which the ID relied named 17 people linked to the China Development Bank loan to Transnet for 1,064 freight rail locomotives.
Outa’s Rudi Heyneke listed Atul and Chetali Gupta, former CEO Brian Molefe, former CFO Anoj Singh, former Regiments directors Litha Nyhonyha and Niven Pillay, and Gupta-linked Salim Essa in his capacity as a Trillian director.
None of them are among the six accused in the state’s case, who face charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering over contracts the state-owned enterprise (SOE) gave to Regiments Capital and Trillian, and Regiments Fund’s alleged theft from Transnet’s benefit fund. The ID, which President Cyril Ramaphosa established in 2019 to tackle “serious, high-profile or complex” graft, is driving the Transnet case.
It touted a significant development in a different case on Friday, when the Hawks seized R75m in assets linked to the “blue lights” tender scandal of the Gauteng police. Police seized 112 cars, 19 properties in Sandton, Pretoria, Springs and Sasolburg, and three trucks. Other assets include a faux Tuscan villa, golf cart, lounge suite, ornate four poster bed and a replica of a Leonardo da Vinci painting.
Vimpie Manthata, sole director of the company Traffic Law Enforcement, and former acting SA police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane are among the accused, as are several senior officials previously with the police.
The state alleges Manthata bribed the police with cash, luxury cars, designer clothing and accessories. Investigators are tracking further assets. The next court date is November 2.
batese@businesslive.co.za (mailto:batese@businesslive.co.za)
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.