An all-important legal tussle over allegedly corrupt contracts at Prasa is finally heading to court. As things stand, the state rail operator won't have any legal representation in the matter, despite pleas to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
On Monday 24 February, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria starts hearing arguments in civil proceedings between the Passenger Rail Service of South Africa (Prasa) and Siyangena Technologies, a former Prasa contractor demanding payment for outstanding fees amounting to R2.8-billion. If Prasa loses the case, it could end up paying Siyangena more than R5-billion after interest on the unpaid invoices had been factored in.
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