The DA has now laid criminal charges following alleged bribes to ANC members, as well as Prasa officials, who were allegedly the beneficiaries of a bribe enabling Swifambo Rail Leasing to secure the controversial Afro4000 Locomotive (pictured) tender.
The DA’s Shadow Minister of Transport, Manny de Freitas MP, says he personally filed an affidavit relating to allegations in Cape Town. In it he raises concerns about possible criminal offences committed by various persons in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, specifically:
The allegation that one Auswell Mashaba, at the time a director of Swifambo, paid a portion of the money that Swifambo received in terms of its contract with PRASA to another company, AM Consulting Engineers where Mashaba was also a director;
AM Consulting then transferred these funds to a company known as Similex (Pty) where President Zuma’s alleged crony, Maria Gomes a director of Similex, would then distribute the money to accounts of the African National Congress.
The use of state procurement to benefit the ANC is illegal and subject to investigation as stipulated by the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004.
De Freitas says it simply cannot be that state machinery is used to progress a political agenda. “Even worse is Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters’ instruction to discontinue an independent investigation into tender irregularities at Prasa, which was required as remedial action by the Public Protector. In the context of these latest developments, this conduct is even more telling.
“Corruption steals opportunities, creates unfairness, damages our economy, and hinders service delivery. The DA will not rest until this matter is fully investigated and action taken against all those found guilty.”
