South Africa Corruption Fight Hammer Falls On Two Ex-Officials

Two top ex-officials of Transnet, a state-owned port and freight rail company are the latest victims of the South Africa corruption fight. Anoj Singh, the ex-chief financial officer of Transnet and Brian Molefe, the CEO of Transnet were arrested early Monday morning Aug. 29, 2022.

The ex-officials were arrested by The Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit. Their arrest was on allegations of corruption perpetuated during the tenure of the past president, Jacob Zuma. According to South Africa’s News 24, Mr. Molefe plans to plead not guilty when the trial starts. Mr. Singh’s lawyers also maintain that their client is innocent.

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The two ex-officials were linked to a multimillion-dollar fraud involving money laundering, corruption, and fraud. The allegations for their arrest involve the payment of bribes to an organization for the purchase of over 1,000 trains.

Also, the prosecutor alleged that the Gupta brothers received kickbacks from the fraudulent transaction. Officials await the extradition of the Gupta brothers from the United Arab Emirates. The brothers have since denied all corruption allegations leveled at them.

South Africans divided on corruption fight

South Africa’s past administration has been severally accused of corruption. In February 2018, Jacob Zuma announced his resignation after intense pressure from his party.

The Monday before Zuma announced his resignation, police raided the Johannesburg home of the Gupta family who shares intimate ties with the president.

The arrest of the ex-Transnet officials followed a hearing by the country’s judicial commission of inquiry which was chaired by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. During the hearing, testimonies were presented that implicated executives of different state-owned establishments in corrupt transactions.

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It was also revealed that the majority of the beneficiaries of the proceeds of the corruption were those close to the ex-president, private business owners, and top African National Congress (ANC) party officials. Earlier this year, there was a similar raid involving high-profile persons who allegedly had ties with the case.

However, not every South African thinks the corruption fight is fair. In July 2021 Jacob Zuma finally handed himself to the police to start his 15-month jail term. His supporters turned out massively on the streets in protest. Properties were destroyed in the process and dozens of people were arrested.

President Cyril Ramaphosa faces his own scandals

President Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Jacob Zuma in 2018 with the image of being corruption-free. However, he now faces his own corruption allegations nicknamed “farmgate”. The controversy is based on an alleged cover-up of a robbery at his Phala Phala private farm in February 2020.

The incident was brought to public view by the ex-head of the State Security Agency, Arthur Fraser. The former spy chief who has close ties with Zuma accused President Ramaphosa of bribery, kidnapping, and unlawfully authorizing the pursuit of robbers that stole about $4 million from his farm.

According to Mr. Fraser, the stolen money was stuffed into cushions and could likely be the proceeds of corruption and money laundering. It was reported that the hoodlums were Namibian Nationals who plotted with one of the farm workers. Speaking at the end of ANC party congress on July 31, 2022, Ramaphosa said,

“The ANC approach to the state capital commission and have urged that the findings and the recommendation of the report form the basis of a society-wide effort to tackle corruption in all its forms.”

Transnet suspects granted bail

According to leaked documents from the court proceedings, Mr. Molefe, Mr. Singh, and two other accused standing trial were granted bail at the sum of R50,000 each. The lawyers of the accused made it clear that their clients could meet the bail requirements.

The advocate for the state Thembela Bakamela made it clear that the state was not against their bail. However, they would have to make necessary arrangements with the state before they can travel abroad.

Since the start of South Africa’s corruption fight, many have been arrested and tried. However, with Jacob Zuma’s case still in the air, the ANC has to prove without a doubt that it has rid the party of corrupt officials.

It will be harder to fight corruption if the party and its officials are perceived as corrupt and beneficiaries of the proceeds of corruption.

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