Transnet and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have welcomed a Special Tribunal provisional order freezing millions of rands worth of assets belonging to two former Transnet executives.
In a judgment handed down on Monday, the Special Tribunal prohibited Thabo Lebelo, his wife Alletta Mokgoro Mabitsi, Phathutshedzo Brighton Mashamba and his wife Matlhodi Phillicia Mashamba from selling, leasing, donating or transferring their luxury properties in Rosebank and Dainfern.
The SIU investigation has revealed that the acquisition of the properties was allegedly funded by money received from service providers contracted by Transnet.
The order is provisional for now, though, and must be made final.
A joint statement from the SIU and Transnet released on Tuesday said investigations had revealed that Lebelo and Mashamba scored about R10 million of unlawful financial benefits from their dodgy dealings with service providers contracted by Transnet.
The service providers names are Superfecta Trading 209 (Superfecta) and BBDM Bros Advertising Agency (BBDM).
Superfecta has been a supplier of electrical and maintenance services to Transnet Property from 2016, while BBDM obtained a long-term lease of Transnet Property’s Carlton Skyrink Building in 2015.
Between Feb 2016 to Aug 2018, Superfecta earned over R64 million in payments from Transnet, as a result of its business with Transnet Property. According to its lease with Transnet, BBDM was paid tenant installation allowances totaling over R73 million from March 2015 to June 2018.
The executives allegedly used unlawful financial benefits to acquire luxury properties on behalf of Trusts administered by themselves and their spouses. Superfecta has been a supplier of electrical and maintenance service.
Therefore, the luxury properties constitute proceeds of unlawful activities hence the application for a preservation order pending the final determination of the review application. The luxury properties are now under the care of a curator.
Furthermore, the Special Tribunal order interdicts and restrains the Transnet Retirement Fund from paying out or transferring any benefits it holds and standing to the credit of Lebelo.
Lebelo was employed by Transnet as Group Executive: Transnet Property and resigned on 28 Nov 2018, pending a disciplinary enquiry. On 16 May 2022, Transnet suspended Phathutshedzo Mashamba from his position as Regional Manager: Coastal Region pending the SIU’s probe.
SIU Head Advocate Andy Mothibi said: “The order is a continuation of the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by State institutions and/or to prevent further losses”.
