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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula in May 2020.
Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu
- Fikile Mbalula condemned the reports on Zolani Matthews age as “an unfounded invention that has been circulating widely on social media platforms.”
- Reports emerged that Matthews was 64 years old, while Prasa’s policy stipulates that anyone taking the job cannot be over 63 years old.
- Prasa has been rocked by instability in the CEO role, with 10 people serving since 2015.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula criticized reports, which emerged during the day, that the newly appointed executive director of the South African Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) group, Zolani Matthews, was too old to hold the position. from “tabloid”.
GroundUp reported Friday that Matthews, who is allegedly 64 years old, was too old to serve as chief executive officer of Prasa’s group because agency policy stipulated that the position could not be filled by someone older than 63 years.
Prasa has been rocked by instability in the CEO position, with 10 people on the job since 2015 after former CEO Lucky Montana left. Like many state entities, Prasa has also been the target of the state capture project, with a number of costly procurement mistakes.
Mbalula condemned the reports as “an unfounded invention that has been circulating widely on social media platforms.”
He said agency policies were followed when Cabinet approved the appointment, and the Department of Transportation announced it last week.
Mbalula made a lot of fanfare about Matthews’ appointment last week, calling it the beginning of a new era for Prasa.
“In terms of due process, after approval of the appointment by Cabinet, the Board is expected to ensure that all necessary processes are followed to carry out the appointment,” Mbalula said.
Mbalula’s statement did not clarify Matthews’ age, nor did it say definitively whether the initial reports on the matter were false.
Mbalula objected to comparisons made between Matthews and former acting CEO Cromet Molepo, saying Molepo was found to have actively misled Prasa regarding his personal data in contravention of agency policies.
Mbalula said that, in the spirit of allowing for stability and continuity at Prasa, Matthews should be allowed to serve as he is expected to take over as CEO soon.
Former ANC MP and Prasa president Leonard Ramatlakane told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts that one of his key priorities at the agency would be to ensure critical vacancies are filled.
Prasa also released a statement late Friday saying it was “appalled by the reports and labeled them” ignorant “and” at worst malicious. “The agency added that its president will address the media about this on monday.
“The process [of appointing Matthews] it was completely transparent and was guided by the relevant policies applicable to Prasa, “its statement reads.
