Latest news with #BrianMolefe
Eyewitness News
02-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
From arrest to conviction? OUTA hopeful Brian Molefe et all will face justice
Sara-Jayne Makwala King 1 July 2025 | 6:46 Transnet Brian Molefe Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit Former Transnet executives (from left to right), Anoj Singh, Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama and Thamsanqa Jiyane appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on 30 June 2025 on corruption, fraud and money laundering charges. Picture: Alpha Ramushwana/EWN John Maytham (in for CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit) speaks to Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) CEO Wayne Duvenage about the arrest of Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Thamsanqa Jiyane and Siyabonga Gama. Listen below: From arrest to conviction? Former Transnet CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama have been released on R50,000 bail after appearing in court on Monday on charges of fraud and corruption. They appeared alongside fellow accused Anoj Singh and Thamsanqa Jiyane in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges stemming from their time at the state-owned entity. The arrests were executed by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and relate to a dodgy 2015 tender for hundreds of locomotives. But will this be the case that finally sees public officials brought to justice for corruption? Duvenage is hopeful. "The evidence here is quite strong, and we don't believe, after the few hiccups they've had, that they would be going down this road on a flimsy or weak case." - Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Outa "This will have legs, and we are confident that justice will be served." - Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Outa The commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture recommended that Molefe, Gama and Singh be investigated for allegedly diverting state funds to the controversial Gupta family. It's understood that a contract to supply the locomotives to Transnet was originally awarded to another company, but this was later cancelled and given to Trillian Capital, which is linked to the Guptas. While the former Transnet execs are claiming their innocence, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) insists there is substantial evidence linking them to the crimes. "The NPA has dropped the ball, due to infiltration, in the past." - Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Outa "There are some concerns, but in this case, the prosecutors have done their homework." - Wayne Duvenage, CEO - Outa Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.
The Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
‘Selective and politically motivated': MK Party slams arrest of Molefe, Gama
The MK Party (MKP) has condemned the arrest of its MPs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama. The two former Transnet executives, along with two co-accused, were arrested on Monday on 18 charges, including contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption, and contravention of the Companies Act relating to the Transnet locomotive acquisition deal. The case was postponed to October 6 by the Palm Ridge specialised commercial crime court in Johannesburg for further investigation, and the four were granted bail of R50,000 each. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela described the arrests as a 'pattern of selective and politically motivated prosecution' aimed at 'black intellectuals' in the party. 'We reject the notion that these arrests are rooted in a genuine pursuit of justice,' Ndhlela said. 'Instead they are part of a broader, deeply troubling campaign that seeks to intimidate and criminalise black professionals, intellectuals and revolutionaries, particularly those associated with the MK Party.'
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
‘Selective and politically motivated': MK Party slams arrest of Molefe, Gama
The MK Party (MKP) has condemned the arrest of its MPs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama. The two former Transnet executives, along with two co-accused, were arrested on Monday on 18 charges, including contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption, and contravention of the Companies Act relating to the Transnet locomotive acquisition deal. The case was postponed to October 6 by the Palm Ridge specialised commercial crime court in Johannesburg for further investigation, and the four were granted bail of R50,000 each. MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela described the arrests as a 'pattern of selective and politically motivated prosecution' aimed at 'black intellectuals' in the party. 'We reject the notion that these arrests are rooted in a genuine pursuit of justice,' Ndhlela said. 'Instead they are part of a broader, deeply troubling campaign that seeks to intimidate and criminalise black professionals, intellectuals and revolutionaries, particularly those associated with the MK Party.'
Eyewitness News
01-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
NPA says currently no need to merge corruption cases against former Transnet execs
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said there is currently no need to merge corruption cases against former Transnet executives. Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Anoj Singh are facing two separate cases connected to an alleged corrupt locomotive procurement deal. ALSO READ: The group appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Monday, alongside Transnet's former chief engineer, facing charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. In the latest case, they're accused of unlawfully diverting R93 million to a company linked to the controversial Gupta family. Molefe, Gama, and Singh are due to go on trial in February 2026 in a separate case involving fraud and corruption worth almost R400 million. Although both cases relate to the procurement of locomotives, they are being pursued independently, as they involve different contracts. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said, despite the connection between the cases, they cannot be merged. 'We are dealing with very complex matters. These are matters that emanate from state capture. In our approach as IDAC, we investigate the whole information that was provided in the State Capture Commission. That's why we have staggered our approach against the accused persons. 'This case also emanates from the acquisition of the 1,064 locomotives, stemming from the previous case, but the facts are different. In this matter, we have three contracts from the first case.' The former Transnet executives will return to court on 6 October.
News24
01-07-2025
- Business
- News24
Former Transnet executives granted R50 000 bail each for fraud and corruption
Ex-Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane were granted bail at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court amid fraud and corruption charges tied to an alleged fraudulent R93-million-rand locomotive tender. This comes after they handed themselves over at a police station south of Johannesburg this morning. The court heard that in 2012, Transnet advertised a tender for the acquisition of the 1064 locomotives deal. The executives were then linked with an irregular payment of R93.4m to Trillian Asset management for organising a R30 billion loan to help buy the locomotives. It is alleged that a double payment was issued because Transnet had already paid another transaction advisory firm - Regiments. Trillian allegedly did nothing to earn the fee but invoiced Transnet. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame tells Drum that the accused are facing 18 charges including fraud, corruption, contravention of the public finance management act and the contravention of the company's act. Read more | Former Transnet executives, Siyabonga Gama & Brian Molefe, arrested over R93 million locomotive tender fraud 'These charges relate to the acquisition of three contracts for locomotives in Transnet for the period of 2011 to 2014. When Transnet took a decision to expand and modernise it's services, there was a need for these contracts or tenders. Bidders had to be called but the state will prove in court that processes were flouted hence the accused appeared in court today.' Transnet has another ongoing case at the Gauteng High Court relating to the awarding of irregular amounts but Mamothame explains that they are dealing with complex matters emanating from the State capture. He says they could not link this matter to the ongoing case because in their holistic approach as IDAC they approach cases differently depending on the facts of the matters. 'Yes the ongoing case also involves locomotives but in this case we have three different contracts.' Mamothame says they initially wanted the accused persons to pay R200 000 bail each because of the seriousness of their charges. 'The amount of money involved in this matter is a lot and the charges are of a serious nature which could lead to a serious conviction at a later stage. The matter was postponed to the 6th of October for final investigations to be concluded.
