In a significant development, a former high-ranking official at South Africa's state-owned Passenger Rail Agency, PRASA, has been handed a 15-year concurrent prison sentence for perpetrating fraud and forgery. The individual in question, aged 49, had served as the head of engineering at PRASA before his resignation and subsequent arrest in 2015.
The individual, identified as Daniel Mtimkulu, was found guilty of three counts of fraud and forgery in 2022. These charges stemmed from his falsification of engineering qualifications, including fake university degrees and a forged job offer from a rival company. This deceit led to a substantial increase in his salary at PRASA.
As head of engineering, Mtimkulu was instrumental in a deal worth over $100 million to procure new train locomotives from Spain. However, these locomotives were later deemed incompatible with South Africa's rail network due to their height, rendering them unusable.
Allegations of corruption and mismanagement have plagued PRASA and other state-owned enterprises in South Africa between 2009 and 2018. A recent report by an anti-corruption unit revealed potential losses exceeding $7 billion due to graft within these entities, including PRASA.
Mtimkulu falsely claimed to hold a master's degree from a South African university and a doctorate in engineering management from a German institution. These credentials were fabricated, along with the job offer from a German firm that led to a substantial salary increase.
The judge presiding over the case has ordered Mtimkulu to repay $323,000 to PRASA, representing the ill-gotten gains from his fraudulent activities.
This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of white-collar crime and the importance of upholding integrity within public institutions. It underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and malfeasance in South Africa's state-owned enterprises.
Sources: AP Africa news
