Zinzile MavusoThe Ahmed Kathrada Foundation welcomes the arrests of several former Transnet executives by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), early this morning. We extend our thanks to all from the criminal justice system who have been working on this case. The accused have been arrested after being linked to a R93m case of alleged fraud, corruption and state capture currently being heard in the Palm Ridge Specialized Crimes Court,
Johannesburg. This case aims to prosecute those involved in the collusion, which saw a Transnet contract for 1000 trains initially awarded to JB Morgan in 2015 cancelled and then diverted to Trillian, a company linked to the Gupta brothers. Trillian was paid over R93 million. This case along with the R25 million Vrede dairy farm money laundering and fraud case, which the extradition of the Gupta Brother is premised on, are the first steps in bringing those who have been involved in the Gupta criminal network to justice. However, the arrested former Transnet executives and Gupta brothers are only the tip of the iceberg. Damning evidence from the Zondo Report, which implicates others in State Capture, has since come to
light and could serve to extend the scope of the charges. We take heart in the number of active cases being pursued by the NPA, Hawks and SIU.
South Africans have long yearned for the day when those responsible for the wholesale plunder of state resources would be brought to book.
Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton, reflecting on the work to prosecute corruption said, “The NPA’s work hassent a warning to those who participated in the culture of self-enrichment which has plagued South African politics for the past decade. Corruption will be uprooted and the corrupt imprisoned. While they haveevaded justice for many years, we look forward to the sight of them being in orange overalls, serving the maximum possible prison sentences.”
