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The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's (Prasa) board of control has placed various executives on special leave and suspension.
According to a statement from Prasa, issued on Friday, the board had decided to act on the allegations of improper, irregular, corrupt, fruitless and wasteful expenditure against implicated employees.
The board will afford the employees their right to answer to the allegations.
Prasa has placed on special leave company secretary Lindikaya Zide, chief information officer Chris Mbatha, CEO of Prasa corporate real estate solutions Tara Ngubane. Prasa has suspended Tumi Mohube, general manager of enterprise risk.
"The suspension or putting on special leave of four executives is to ensure a fair process based on a principle of innocent until proven guilty," interim CEO Dr Nkosinathi Sishi said.
Culture of impunity
Chairperson of the board Khanyisile Kweyama said these decisions were taken to strengthen Prasa as non-compliance with laws has impacted commuters and passengers.
"The extent of improper, fruitless and wasteful expenditure that is reported by various independent professionals shows a disturbing culture of impunity which has to be stemmed at once."
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande has previously said Prasa has been treated like an ATM. He appointed the board of control in April 2018 to serve for a period of 12 months to turn things around at the entity, Fin24 previously reported.
Recently Sibusiso Sithole stepped down as interim CEO. The board has advertised for positions for CEO, Chief Financial Officer and other key group executives.
