Share

Montana slams Madonsela for 'creating drama'

Johannesburg - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was creating nothing other than drama following the release of her report into maladministration at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), former CEO Lucky Montana said on Tuesday.

In an interview with radio station 702, Montana said Madonsela's conclusions were not based on facts.

"The issue that Prasa wasted billions of rands as stated in The Times today is part of the drama that I'm talking about. It's not actually based on facts," Montana said.

"I think [as] South Africans, we've got to look at the issue. If someone doesn't agree, the Public Protector may not agree with the way in which Prasa has done certain things but it doesn't mean that the way they've done them is corruption, or is irregular, or is maladministration.

"That is very important and I think that is also another principle that I want to test in a court of law."

If that principle was not defended, the country was going to have a problem, Montana said.

"...People who run companies, who make choices, who make trade-offs... then would be accused because somebody is not happy with them, with the way in which it's done.

Montana widely implicated in report

"I was the CEO of the company. In some instances, you'll remember we've seen the framework of law, on policy and the Constitution. You must make the choices that are there.

"I found that in fact in real terms there's nothing other than the drama that she has created and I want to demonstrate that in a court of law so that is tested properly."

On Monday, Montana was widely implicated in Madonsela’s report on maladministration at Prasa.

In 2012 the SA Transport and Allied Workers union reported allegations of corruption and tender irregularities at Prasa to the public protector.

"About 17 tenders and contracts collectively exceeding R2.8bn were specifically identified by the complainant for investigation of supply chain irregularities, including non-competitive processes, cronyism, scope creep, cost overruns, overpayment and fruitless and wasteful expenditure," Madonsela said at the release of the report on Monday.

Madonsela said she held numerous meetings with Montana and his lawyers which were chronologically outlined in the report titled "Derailed".

The report directly implicated Montana on eight charges.

Montana was dismissed as CEO on July 16 amid allegations the state-owned entity put millions of rands into new diesel locomotives which did not conform to South African rail line standards.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.00
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
24.09
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.61
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.37
+0.4%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
904.45
+0.2%
Palladium
999.75
-0.6%
Gold
2,153.10
-0.3%
Silver
24.91
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,887
-0.6%
All Share
72,097
-0.5%
Resource 10
53,271
-0.1%
Industrial 25
99,407
-1.1%
Financial 15
16,625
+0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders