Mbalula cracks the whip, appoints a new GCEO to get Prasa back on track
Updated | By Christelle du Toit
Prasa has not had a permanent Group CEO since 2015.
The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, has cracked the whip at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) where he has appointed a new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO).
Prasa has not had a permanent Group CEO since 2015.
On Saturday, Mbalula announced the appointment of Zolani Kgosie Matthew, saying: " He is a seasoned professional, with a robust understanding of international and domestic business strategy who has operated in dynamic, complex and agile organisations."
The Minister said Matthew would be tasked with getting the rail agency back on track as soon as possible.
"When we took the decision to shut down the rail service as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were painfully aware that due to overcrowding in our trains these would have served as super spreaders," he said.
"The challenges loom large and our commuter rail infrastructure has been completely run down as a result of theft and vandalism. The most urgent task confronting us is to get trains back in service."
ALSO READ: Dipuo Peters denies any involvement in state capture at Prasa
Mbalula listed a range of historical issues at Prasa.
"In the 12 years of its existence, PRASA has experienced many challenges that became pronounced in 2015/16. Irregular expenditure stood at R4.1 billion alongside fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R541 million. This period was also characterised by dissonance at the highest levels of the organization, characterised by tensions between the Board and management.
"The Public Protector also released her report on PRASA titled “Derailed”, which highlighted serious lapses of corporate governance. The Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) had also initiated investigations on a number of issues referred by Prasa," he said.
"Matthews heralds the beginning of a new era that will turn PRASA’s fortunes and place it on a steady footing to deliver on its mandate," said Mbalula.
"We have raised the bar in this regard and will hold the Board to extremely high standards in the execution of its mandate," he noted.
PHOTOS: at Langa Train Station to speak on PRASA and the Introduction of the new Group CEO. https://t.co/2Dd3cY2zM1 pic.twitter.com/0XVgO4Aivk
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) February 27, 2021
Mr Zolani Kgosie Matthews has been appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer of PRASA. He is a seasoned professional, with a robust understanding of international and domestic business strategy who has operated in dynamic, complex and agile organisations. https://t.co/2Dd3cY2zM1 pic.twitter.com/BJ9mM9ufi5
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) February 27, 2021
Show's Stories
-
LISTEN: Actress Sophie Joans talks about her award-winning play
Two extraordinary stage talents, Sophie Joans and Rob van Vuuren, have t...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 17 hours ago -
LISTEN: The best road trip tips ahead of the Easter weekend
From traffic to packing, Rob Forbes and Rozanne McKenzie are sharing tip...
The Drive with Rob & Roz 19 hours ago