Lucky Montana. Picture: MARTIN RHODES
Lucky Montana. Picture: MARTIN RHODES

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THE Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) says former head engineer Daniel Mtimkulu has "no job of any kind to return to" and his return to the agency’s offices in Braamfontein on Tuesday was unlawful.

Mr Mtimkulu made an appearance at the agency’s offices and had been escorted out by Prasa security staff because his entry was "unlawful", according to Prasa spokesman Victor Dlamini.

Mr Mtimkulu was fired in August following a disciplinary hearing, after it was revealed he had lied about his qualifications.

Last year it was reported that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation — also known as the Hawks — was continuing with a criminal investigation into former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana and Mr Mtimkulu for allegedly rigging a R5bn tender for locomotives from Swifambo Rail Leasing that the parastatal no longer wanted.

However, Hawks spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Tuesday that investigations at Prasa were ongoing and that no decision had been taken to charge anyone. "It will depend on that investigation if anybody will be charged. There is still a lot that needs to be investigated there."

Mr Dlamini said Prasa had filed charges of fraud against Mr Mtimkulu but prosecution had withdrawn charges. He also said the agency had formally asked to be provided with reasons for the decision to withdraw the charges.

Prasa is expected to continue with disciplinary hearings against seven managers suspended after staging a demonstration outside the agency’s offices in August, according to sources close to the matter. The managers were unhappy with the way Prasa was being run, including the dismissal of Mr Montana.