By Neelam Rahim

The Investigative Directorate of the NPA arrested more high-profile Transnet executives, including Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh, on fraud charges. Molefe, a former Transnet CEO, former finance chief head Singh, Niven Pillay, and chartered accountant and director of several companies Litha Mangaliso Nyonyha appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court this morning. They were all released on bail of R50 thousand rand.

In discussion with Radio Islam International, the spokesperson for the Investigative Directorate, Sindisiwe Seboka, said over ten people have been arrested in connection with charges of defrauding state-owned enterprise Transnet and four companies.

According to Sindisiwe, Two other persons currently out of the country are sought.

“Extradition applications will now be sought to the various countries they’re in, but further persons will be arrested in the coming months.”

Sindisiwe said the former executives of Transnet are facing charges of breach of contract of the public management act and fraud. At the same time, the other persons are charged with corruption and fraud.

She added that the arrest is primitive around the financial advisory services provided by the various firms.

The accused currently stand for signing off some of the deals, and the others stand accused of having benefitted a sum of around R398.4 million in those transactions.

Regarding the bail condition, Sindisiwe said bail was not opposed as they are not deemed a flight risk, their whereabouts are known, and it is presumed that they will cooperate.  

The bail requirements set out by the court include that they hand in their passports (some already have) before they leave and pay the particular money to the court before they go.

Transnet is one of the most prominent places where money was looted during the State Capture error. Sindisiwe said the arresting of persons believed to have been instrumental in that particular exploit is quite vivid for the country to know that something has been done.

“The country can rest assured that as government is doing their best in order to turn around certain entities but law enforcement is also hard at to ensure that people don’t just get off Scott free.”

Listen to the interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.