Johannesburg - The Congress of the People (Cope) said on Tuesday it would lay criminal charges against axed Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) CE Lucky Montana.
This follows the release of a report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela implicating him in maladministration and financial mismanagement at the company.
“Lucky Montana does not see the seriousness of this report. He thinks that this is purely a fiction spun by the Public Protector. His bravado will not hold, Cope will look to press charges against him,” said spokesman Dennis Bloem.
Madonsela’s report, titled ‘Derailed’ and released on Monday, made numerous adverse findings against Montana, including alleged maladministration and financial mismanagement involving millions of rands, as well as improper conduct.
The probe also found Montana abused his position of power during his stint at the state-owned entity.
Montana has denied the allegations, and reportedly said the report was inaccurate and inconsistent. He indicated that he would approach the courts to have the report set aside.
Bloem said President Jacob Zuma ”set a very bad and dangerous example” after Madonsela’s recommendations that Zuma pay a portion of the costs for the security upgrades at his Nkandla home were not implemented.
He added anyone who had acted improperly or committed fraud would hold a Public Protector investigation was merely making recommendations, which were not binding.
ANA