Dear Editor
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed, in reply to a DA parliamentary question, that PRASA has not suspended its R7.5 billion “General Overhaul” (GO) programme to refurbish old and obsolete trains, despite the entity itself admitting that the programme is no longer fit for purpose and must be reviewed.
The DA is demanding that PRASA immediately halt all further spending on the GO contracts, pending both the Public Protector’s investigation into the contract awards and a full review of whether the overhaul is necessary at all. If the Board refuses, Minister Creecy must intervene to stop any more taxpayer money going down the drain.
Continuing to pour billions into a dead-end project while commuters are left stranded is indefensible. South Africa cannot afford to throw good money after bad.
PRASA has already spent R3.5 billion on the so-called overhaul, yet the “refurbished” carriages are sitting abandoned in depots across the country: rusting, vandalised, and unfit for use.
These trains are not needed under PRASA’s own new fleet strategy, which prioritises the modern blue “People’s Train” units already being rolled out.
The contract award process itself was mired in controversy, including serious conflicts of interest at Board level and other irregularities. The Public Protector has confirmed to the DA that a full investigation into these contracts is underway following our formal complaint.
Adding to the chaos, PRASA cannot even keep its own numbers straight. When the Board appeared before the Transport Committee in June, it reported R2.5 billion in expenditure. Just three months later, it told the Standing Committee on Public Accounts that R3.5 billion had already been spent. This R1 billion discrepancy raises glaring questions about the accuracy and credibility of PRASA’s financial reporting.
To make matters worse, PRASA has already received a forensic report on the GO contracts and has confronted contractors with the findings, strongly suggesting there are adverse conclusions. Yet the Board is inexplicably allowing the spending spree to continue.
The DA will not allow this R7.5 billion scandal to be buried under the tracks of PRASA’s decay. Accountability must come before another cent is wasted.
Regards
Thami Mabhena MP
DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Transport