The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Public Infrastructure and Minister in the Presidency, Mr Rikus Badenhorst, welcomes the recent developments by the Hawks where devices belonging to senior executives of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) were seized.

The recent developments by the Hawks are part of an ongoing investigations into alleged irregularities within the organisation.

Mr Badenhorst said the allegations are concerning as the individuals implicated are top senior executives. “This highlights a need for transparency and accountability within PRASA. The committee will monitor the developments at PRASA as it is important for the investigation to come to expose the alleged corruption within the entity,” added Mr Badenhorst.

In a committee engagement on 9 July, Mr Badenhorst drew attention to the company that had recently been awarded the signalling contract, which was also reportedly responsible for the demolition of Parliament. The committee expressed its concern about the company’s repeated involvement in large-scale projects.

Mr Badenhorst called on the Minister of Transport to report back to the committee once investigations into the matter were complete as the outcome was crucial to resolving one of the key obstacles hindering PRASA’s progress on signalling.

“The committee will continue to provide oversight to ensure responsibility, so that public funds are used correctly because the country faces challenges within the fiscus,” said Mr Badenhorst.

The media reported executives, and the Board awarded an R18 billion train signalling equipment contract to companies without following and meeting mandatory requirements.