Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama arrested for R93m Transnet corruption
The Hawks have arrested two former Transnet executives Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama linked to a dodgy R93 million locomotive tender.
Former Eskom and Transnet CEO, Brian Molefe at the State Capture Commission, on 15 January 2021. Picture: Neil McCartney
The Hawks have arrested two former Transnet executives linked to a dodgy R93 million locomotive tender.
Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama handed themselves over to police on Monday morning.
The duo are expected to appear in court on Monday, according to Enca
The Citizen has contacted the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) for confirmation of the arrests. This information will be included once received.
Charges
Molefe is currently a member of parliament for Jacob Zuma's MK party.
The other accused in the matter include former CFOs Anoj Singh and Garry Pita, and former treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi.
They face charges related to the R93.4 million payment to Trillion Asset Management in 2015.
[BREAKING NEWS] The Hawks have arrested two former Transnet executives. They are expected to appear in court today. They are linked to a dodgy R93 million locomotive tender. eNCA's @HeidiGiokos has more details. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/gTBsEHPNRK — eNCA (@eNCA) June 30, 2025
*This is a developing story
ALSO READ: Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, more former Transnet executives arrested
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Former Transnet Executives, from left, Anoj Singh, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane appear before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, and contravention of the Companies Act. Image: Henry Mamothame | NPA The State says it will need time to compile and present to the defence the volumes of documentary and electronic evidence related to the case against four former executives of Transnet. Former Transnet chief financial officer Anoj Singh, former Transnet CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, who are both Members of Parliament under the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP), and former engineering chief executive Thamsanqa Jiyane were each granted R50 000 bail by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday. They face charges including contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption, and contravention of the Companies Act. Prosecutors argued that there was a substantial volume of evidence that still needed to be examined, necessitating a structured process for the defence to access all the pertinent information surrounding the charges. At the heart of these accusations lies the R3.2 billion tender awarded for the supply of 95 locomotives to Chinese manufacturers, CSR and CNR—an arrangement purportedly established through favouritism rather than due diligence. This initial contract, marred by alleged misconduct, saw costs escalate to over R3.4 billion. Subsequent agreements for additional locomotives followed, with contract values ballooning from R3.8 billion to R4.8 billion and from R38.1 billion to R54 billion. These developments form part of a broader investigation into Transnet's controversial 2011 Market Demand Strategy (MDS), aimed at bolstering South Africa's freight capabilities through significant investment in rail and associated infrastructure. In response to enquiries, Transnet said through its Media Desk that it will continue to support the National Prosecuting Authority. 'The organisation has completed its own investigations into the locomotive contracts and has instituted civil recovery litigation for the losses suffered. Transnet has implemented all the Zondo Commission recommendations applicable to the organisation,' Transnet said. In court, State prosecutor Advocate Santhos Manilal alleged that the accused used their senior positions within the State-owned enterprise to manipulate procurement processes, inflate costs, and steer contracts toward favoured suppliers. 'There are further investigations that I want to have finalised and then I want to disclose, not in piecemeal, but I want to disclose the docket in its entirety. So on the 6th of October, I will give the defence an indication of when we are going to disclose,' he said. 'I will now suggest a proper timeline and process of how we are going to disclose because of the volumes of documents involved in this particular matter, also the electronic evidence.' The case was adjourned to October 6. The MKP has called for fair treatment by the judiciary of its members, saying the charges were a direct attack on black professionals, especially those affiliated with the party. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela accused the justice system of engaging in a troubling pattern of retaliation against its party members. 'We are also particularly alarmed at what appears to be a targeted campaign against black professionals and intellectuals, especially those affiliated with the party who once held strategic roles within SOEs, including Transnet,' Ndhlela said. 'These developments are reminiscent of unfair treatment as afforded to our president, who is yet to receive a legal process grounded on fairness and constitutional justice.' According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, during the process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise the country's rail infrastructure, the accused allegedly flouted the tender process by irregularly appointing a company that did not qualify, CSR, to provide the 95 locomotives. Mamothame said there were two other bids relating to the acquisition of 100 and then 1 064 locomotives, which were procured again with CNR due to the alleged flouting of processes by the accused. 'This is a State Capture matter. During the State Capture Commission hearings, the country heard how billions were looted from Transnet. This case depicts the flouting of services and the generation of billions of rands for use not attributed to the rail modernisation project,' Mamothame said. The GOOD party welcomed the criminal charges against the former Transnet executives. 'This case is yet another example of the industrial-scale looting that took place under the cover of State capture, a project that robbed South Africans of infrastructure, integrity and justice,' said GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron. He added that the arrest of high-profile figures like Molefe and Gama is a critical step in showing that there are consequences for abusing public office and plundering State institutions. | Additional Reporting Mercury Reporter THE MERCURY
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JOHANNESBURG - The long arm of the law has finally extended to former Transnet big guns. READ: Transnet corruption case | Molefe claims state evidence is "weak" Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Thamsanqa Jiyane, and Anoj Singh appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Monday. They were each granted R50,000 bail. The charges relate to a dodgy R93-million locomotives tender. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption made the arrests. Legal expert, Benedict Phiri unpacked the developments with eNCA.
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6 hours ago
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Investigations into Transnet's R3. 2 billion tender lead to executives facing graft-related charges
Former Transnet Executives, from left, Anoj Singh, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane appear before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud, corruption, contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, and contravention of the Companies Act. Pictured: The prosecution in the case against four former executives of Transnet has said there were further investigations to be fully disclosed hopefully when the matter resumes on October 6th. Former Transnet chief financial officer Anoj Singh, former CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, and former engineering chief executive Thamsanqa Jiyane were each granted R50 000 bail by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday. They face charges including contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption and the contravention of the Companies Act. Prosecutors argued that there was a substantial volume of documentary and electronic evidence still to be examined, necessitating a structured process for the defence to access all the pertinent information surrounding the charges. At the heart of the accusations lies the R3.2 billion tender awarded for the supply of 95 locomotives to Chinese manufacturers, CSR and CNR—an arrangement purportedly established through favouritism rather than due diligence. This initial contract, marred by alleged misconduct, saw costs escalate to over R3.4bn. Subsequent agreements for additional locomotives followed suit, with contract values ballooning alarmingly from R3.8bn to R4.8bn and from R38.1bn to R54bn. The developments form part of a broader investigation into Transnet's controversial 2011 Market Demand Strategy (MDS). The MDS was aimed at bolstering South Africa's freight capabilities through significant investment in rail and associated infrastructure. In response to enquiries, Transnet said through its media desk that it will continue to support the National Prosecuting Authority. "The organisation has completed its own investigations into the locomotives contracts and has instituted civil recovery litigation for the losses suffered. Transnet has implemented all the Zondo Commission recommendations applicable to the organisation," Transnet said. State prosecutor Advocate Santhos Manilal alleged the accused used their senior positions within the State-owned enterprise to manipulate procurement processes, inflate costs, and steer contracts toward favoured suppliers. "There are further investigations that I want to have finalised and then I want to disclose not in piecemeal, but I want to disclose the docket in its entirety. So on the 6th October I will give the defence an indication of when we are going to disclose (details)," he said. "I will now suggest a proper timeline and process of how we are going to disclose because of the volumes of documents involved in this particular matter, also the electronic evidence. I will have to formulate a clear process of how we are going to disclose." This as the Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) called for fair treatment by the judiciary of its members, saying the charges were a direct attack on black professionals, especially those affiliated with the party. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela accused the justice system of engaging in a troubling pattern of retaliation against party members, who have held state institutions to account. "We are also particularly alarmed at what appears to be a targeted campaign against black professionals and intellectuals, especially those affiliated with the party who once held strategic roles within SOEs including Transnet," Ndhlela said. "These developments are reminiscent of unfair treatment as afforded to our President as widely known, who is yet to receive a legal process grounded on fairness and constitutional justice." According to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption's (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, during the process of acquiring locomotives to expand and modernise the country's rail infrastructure, the accused allegedly flouted the tender process by irregularly appointing a company that did not qualify, CSR, to provide the 95 locomotives. Mamothame said there were two other bids relating to the acquisition of 100 and then 1 064 locomotives, which were procured again with CNR due to the alleged flouting of processes by the accused. "This is a state capture matter. During the State Capture Commission hearings the country heard how billions were looted from Transnet. This case depicts that flouting of services and the generation of billions of rands for use not attributed to the rail modernisation project," Mamothame said. BUSINESS REPORT
