Prasa hit by irregular spending - report

Johannesburg - The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has lost millions of rands to irregular and wasteful expenditure, reports the Sunday Independent.

It failed to meet 52% of its targets in the year, according to the agency's annual report tabled in Parliament last week.

There was irregular spending of R14.9m due to procurement awards being made without quotations.

Fruitless and wasteful expenditure of more than R3m was incurred because invoices were not paid on time and disciplinary processes were not conducted within the required 30-day period.

Forensic investigations were underway into an official who was referring fleet vehicle repairs to a service provider in which he had a business interest and into a middle management official accused of unethical behaviour.

According to the report Prasa did not meet its targets on rail passenger safety and rail fatalities increased during the year.