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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula appointed Bongisizwe Mpondo as Prasa’s administrator in December last year.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says there is nothing wrong with the R3.17 million salary of the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa), paid administrator, Bongisizwe Mpondo, a day before the Western Superior Court Cape will cancel its service commission in August.
Mbalula’s statement came after a report by the non-profit investigative journalism organization amaBhungane that Mpondo was quickly awarded a permanent position and was paid 3.17 million rand in arrears, which included an allowance by functions, the day before the Superior Court annulled his appointment.
Mbalula appointed Mpondo in December to turn around the corrupt railway agency, but the legality of the appointment was questioned by the civil society group #UniteBehind, which approached the court to intervene.
In a statement Sunday, Mbalula said Mpondo’s appointment had been made according to the rules and that he was being paid what he was owed.
“The courts have ruled on the matter of his appointment and we have accepted their decision and have since moved on. It is quite false for anyone to suggest that Mpondo’s appointment was shrouded in a veil of secrecy, ”Mbalula said.
The transport minister added that the date of Mpondo’s salary was not related to the judicial process and was part of routine negotiations.
“Drawing parallels between the two is absurd and is rejected with the contempt it deserves,” concluded Mbalula.
