Four former top executives from South Africa’s state-owned freight and logistics giant, Transnet, have been formally charged with corruption in a high-profile case tied to the extensive “state capture” era under former President Jacob Zuma.
Among those arrested and charged on Monday are ex-group CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, along with former heads of finance and procurement at Transnet. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the accused face 18 charges, including fraud, corruption, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act and Companies Act.
The charges relate to procurement irregularities during a massive infrastructure project aimed at expanding and modernizing South Africa’s rail system. One notable allegation involves the awarding of a $13 million-inflated contract for 95 trains to a Chinese firm deemed unqualified for the job bypassing due process and established tender regulations.
The accused, now serving as members of parliament under Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, have not yet entered pleas. Each was released on $2,800 bail, with the next court appearance scheduled for October.
In a statement, the NPA condemned the abuse of public trust, saying, “The arrest of the accused highlights how persons in positions of trust and power allowed themselves to be part of a corrupt relationship that sought self-enrichment as opposed to the enrichment of the country and its infrastructure.”
Transnet, which controls South Africa’s railways, ports, and pipelines, has long been plagued by corruption, theft, debt, and mismanagement. A 2022 judicial report from the Zondo Commission on state capture identified Transnet as a “primary site” of corruption, with contracts worth billions of rand improperly awarded to benefit entities tied to the influential Gupta family, close associates of Zuma.
Molefe and Gama previously denied any wrongdoing during their testimonies before the Zondo Commission. They are also implicated in a separate case involving the irregular procurement of more than 1,000 trains.
The arrests mark a significant step in South Africa’s ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the systemic looting of public institutions accountable.
