Here’s why Brian Molefe could begin the new year behind bars

Brian Molefe, the embattled former executive of both Eskom and Transnet, is reportedly facing arrest for his involvement in corrupt dealings at state-owned enterprises (SEOs).

According to a report by the Sunday Times, Molefe is firmly in the crosshairs of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Sources within both law enforcing agencies have revealed that Molefe is likely to be arrested in the ‘next few weeks’.

This follows the high-profile arrests of former Eskom executives France Hlakudi and Abram Masango. Both Hlakudi and Masango were tasked with overseeing vital and lucrative contractual agreements at the embattled Kusile Power Plant in Mpumalanga. According to the NPA, both former executives awarded fraudulent government tenders to companies, to the value of R745-million.

Transnet and Eskom: Hotbeds of corruption

It’s been revealed that most services, which had already been paid for, remained undelivered, further embattling the flailing power utility.

Following the arrests, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that investigations into corruption at both Eskom and Transnet were at an advanced stage. Mulaudzi explained that further arrests were imminent.

It’s claimed that former Transnet CFO Anoj Singh, former Eskom and Transnet CEO Molefe and former Transnet CEO Siyabonga Gama, are all under the microscope for corruption, money-laundering and racketeering.

Molefe guilty of enriching himself through dodgy deals

Molefe’s tenure at both SEOs has come under severe fire in recent years, with the executive’s dubious connection to the infamous Gupta family fuelling cause for concern. Following his disgraced exit from Eskom, Molefe was found guilty of having used the utility’s pension fund to enrich himself.

Molefe, who has been implicated during testimony before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, was ordered by the court to pay back R11-million.

Transnet’s grievous financial and operational situation, exacerbated by a controversial locomotives contract undersigned by both Molefe and the Gupta-linked Regiments Capital, may prove to be Molefe’s final undoing.

In November, it was reported that Transnet would be reimbursed a total of R180-million in relation to the failed locomotive contract. Representatives at the state-owned enterprise noted that the contract, which had been arranged and eventually signed under Molefe’s command, had been riddled with inaccuracies and irregularities.

It’s also claimed that both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Security Exchange Commission have joined the hunt for those responsible.

Molefe, who has denied any wrongdoing despite admitting to his close relationship with the fugitive Gupta family, has yet to respond to reports of his imminent arrest.