Johannesburg - Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) chairman Popo Molefe has described the death threats against him as “irritating” and “disgusting”.
Speaking to The Star on Thursday morning, Molefe said he had opened a case of conspiracy to commit murder with the police after discovering a plot against his life.
Although Molefe would not discuss the matter, Prasa has been in the spotlight because of several incidents in recent weeks, including the sacking of its chief executive Lucky Montana and head engineer Daniel Mtimkulu.
An investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela into allegations of maladministration relating to financial mismanagement, the awarding of tenders and irregular appointments by the parastatal is also under way.
The chairman said the threats were reported to him by an “individual” present at a meeting in May when his assassination was discussed.
“The individual reported to me that people at the meeting regarded me as an obstacle that needed to be removed. They allegedly also checked my security and found it to be inadequate, which would make it possible for them to get to me,” he said.
Molefe said he was disappointed that his life was being discussed at meetings and he would have hoped that anyone who could make such a proposal would have been kicked out rather than entertained.
“What worries me is that things like this happen in the new, democratic South Africa,” he said.
Although Molefe has taken extra measures since learning about the threats, such as improving his security, he is adamant that he is not living in fear.
“I have lived under the shadow of death for most of my life, so this does not scare me,” he said.
But the threats have affected his family.
“My wife is under strain and is not sleeping well after learning about the threats against my life. She is worried that every time I leave the house, I might not return,” he said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini confirmed that Molefe had opened a case.
“We are investigating the matter,” he said.
The sacked chief executive, Montana, alleges his dismissal was politically motivated.
Mtimkulu was fired because he lied about his qualifications – he did not have the BTech in engineering, Master’s degree or Doctorate he claimed.
Prasa’s operations have also been questioned following several accidents, including one involving 200 people who sustained injuries after one of its trains derailed on Friday last week in Booysens, south of Joburg.
In another development, it was announced that the release of a report by Madonsela, which was due to come out on Thursday, has been postponed to next month.
The postponement comes after interested parties implicated in some of the issues approached Madonsela saying they would like to make representations before she releases her report.
The report deals with the results of investigations of Montana, allegations of maladministration relating to financial mismanagement, the awarding of tenders and irregular appointments by the parastatal.
The Star