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Former Passenger Rail Agency of SA CEO Lucky Montana appears before a parliamentary inquiry into the state capture on January 30, 2018 in Cape Town.
Gallo Images / Sowetan / Esa Alexander
- Montana says she wants to testify in the state’s capture investigation, despite labeling it a “witch hunt” and accusing her of bias.
- The commission has heard evidence that Montana “mercilessly abused his powers” as head of the agency, tolerated no dissent and sought to have employees who crossed his path fired.
- Former President Jacob Zuma has also demanded that Zondo recuse himself. Since then, the president of the investigation ordered that a subpoena be issued for him to appear.
The former head of South Africa’s passenger train agency, Lucky Monata, has written to the chairman of the ongoing state capture investigation to tell him that he intends to testify, despite calling the investigation a “witch hunt.”
In a statement, Montana said it has submitted a full statement to the commission and “intends to tell the story of the Prasa I know.”
He also said he was seeking legal advice on whether to proceed with a request for disqualification from the commission’s chairman, Judge Raymond Zondo. He added that, before the request is made, he will provide Zondo “an opportunity to reflect honestly.”
Montana ran the South African Passenger Rail Agency from 2010 to 2015, when he was laid off.
Earlier this year, the commission, which has been investigating allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud at state entities since August 2018, heard from a former employee that Montana “ruthlessly abused his powers” as head of the agency, not he tolerated no dissent and sought to have employees who crossed his path fired.
The commission also examined Montana’s purchase of premium properties at Sandhurst in Johannesburg and Waterkloof in Pretoria. Although Montana made the initial offer to purchase, someone else assumed ownership.
In her statement, Montana wrote that the commission was “biased” and “was not interested in hearing the version of those of us who are ‘charged’.”
“He [Zondo] But he made a decision and is pursuing a predetermined outcome, “Montana said.
Former President Jacob Zuma has also demanded that Zondo recuse himself. The president last week granted an order authorizing the commission’s secretary to sign and issue subpoenas for Zuma to appear before the investigation in mid-November.
