Question NW988 to the Minister of Transport
25 April 2016 - NW988
Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether the R335 million paid by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to a certain company (name furnished) for technological improvements was paid for technological improvements on all locomotives; if not, was the specified amount only paid for technological improvements on locomotives received to date; (2) why were the extra technological improvements not included in the original tender awarded to the specified company; (3) whether the additional technological improvements were sent to the Rail and Safety Regulator (RSR); if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the opinion of the RSR in this regard and (b) was the opinion of the RSR taken into account before the additional technological improvements were approved; (4) whether, with regard to the tender awarded to the specified company for the construction and supply of locomotives to PRASA, the RSR had insights into the tender specification before being finalised and published for bidding; if not, why not; if so, (a) at what stage was the RSR involved in the decision process regarding the purchase of the Afro 4000 locomotives and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
- The need for technological improvements to the Afro 4000 locomotives are subject to a High Court application under case number: 2015/422196.
- See response in 1 above.
- PRASA did not follow due process in respect of the AFRO 4000 project. Therefore, the RSR was not privy to information and decisions that were taken regarding additional technological improvements.
- The RSR was not involved nor had insight into the tender specification before it was finalised and published by PRASA.
(a) The RSR had no input in respect of the entire acquisition process and was not involved in the decision process regarding the acquisition of the Afro 4000.
(b) Forensic investigators have been appointed by the Board of Control of PRASA to conduct a detailed investigation. This discovery is set out in the High Court application referred to in (1).