Parliament, Tuesday, 24 March 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Transport has noted with concern the media reports on how gangs received a contract to provide security services on the Central Line railway in Cape Town, where vital work is being done to improve the line.
The committee received a briefing today from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) on the optimisation of PRASA’s services and allegations of corruption amounting to R7 billion in the general overhaul programme.
The committee Chairperson, Mr Donald Selamolela, said although the committee welcomed the media as a watchdog for society to inform people of wrongdoing, it is incumbent on PRASA to be open about the facts. He said: “The committee got a reassuring briefing that the allegations are receiving attention, and that officials are being held to account. We are not co-governing with thugs. Running such a prestige entity, like PRASA, requires honesty and a drive to be of service to the people.”
He added: “PRASA is an entity on the rise, and we want that work to continue on an upward trajectory. Talks of gangs being awarded contracts compromises PRASA and the service it avails to our people.”
The committee heard of the resignation of two officials after they were arrested in response to allegations that they colluded with suppliers. This case is still before the courts. Eleven other PRASA officials face disciplinary hearings for various offences.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, noted that a good deal of PRASA’s good work goes unreported. He urged the committee to compare the entity today to where it was two years ago.
Mr Selamolela acknowledged PRASA’s successes in launching new rolling stock and reviving the rail service on the Central Line and the Mabopane line in Gauteng and that these lines are fully operational.
“Handle all matters of irregularities with care for the sake of the contractors, employees and our people. The committee demands aggressive marketing of what PRASA is able to do today; trains are running and it is about the right time, as roads have turned into a killing field for our people,” emphasised Mr Selamolela.
PRASA committed to report to the committee once all investigations have been completed, particularly on the matter of consequence management. The committee plans to conduct oversight visits to some of the ongoing projects to gain a true understanding of general overhaul of PRASA’s services.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR DONALD SELAMOLELA.
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Name: Sibongile Maputi (Mr)
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E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
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