Hawks raid PRASA HQ in R18 billion tender probe
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, launched a dramatic raid on the headquarters of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) this week as part of a deepening corruption investigation into an R18 billion tender scandal that has rocked the troubled state-owned enterprise.
Audit Command Centre Seized in Dawn Raid
The raid, which took place on Wednesday morning at PRASA’s Braamfontein offices, saw Hawks investigators seize laptops, mobile phones, documents and external hard drives from PRASA’s internal audit unit. According to News24, officers took full control of the parastatal’s “audit nerve centre,” considered critical to ongoing internal investigations into irregular contracts and financial mismanagement.
This comes as part of a widening probe into massive tender irregularities dating back to the mid-2010s, when PRASA allegedly awarded billions of rands in contracts to companies without proper oversight, often in violation of procurement laws. The Hawks’ focus has now shifted to individuals within the audit team who may have suppressed or tampered with key financial reports.
Seized Devices Linked to Key Investigators
The seized devices reportedly belong to high-ranking officials in PRASA’s audit division and legal department. Sources revealed that the Hawks are trying to trace digital evidence and communication trails that could expose attempts to cover up procurement fraud and obstruct internal investigations.
“We have reason to believe there has been deliberate interference with internal audit outcomes,” said a source close to the investigation. “There are people who had a duty to uncover corruption, but instead became part of the machinery that enabled it.”
Probe Tied to Contracts Worth R18 Billion
At the centre of the scandal are contracts totaling approximately R18 billion, many of which were awarded without proper bidding processes, or involved inflated prices and undelivered services. Some of these tenders date back to the controversial tenure of former PRASA CEO Lucky Montana, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
The Zondo Commission previously flagged PRASA as one of the state-owned entities riddled with “systemic dysfunction” and recommended that several contracts be investigated further. The Hawks’ raid is believed to be a direct response to these recommendations.
READ ALSO
SASSA confirms July 2025 COVID-19 SRD payments: What beneficiaries need to know
Will DStv and GOtv prices drop after Canal+ acquisition? Here’s what to expect
PRASA Denies Obstruction, Assures Cooperation
In a brief statement, PRASA said it is cooperating with law enforcement and pledged its support for ongoing investigations. “We affirm our commitment to transparency and accountability,” the agency said. “We will provide all necessary documentation and access to ensure justice is served.”
However, internal sources suggest rising tensions within the agency, as current leadership scrambles to distance itself from legacy scandals and avoid additional reputational damage.
State Capture Legacy Still Haunts PRASA
This latest raid adds to the growing perception that PRASA remains deeply compromised, despite multiple leadership changes and public pledges of reform. The agency has faced mounting service delivery failures, dilapidated infrastructure, and public frustration over unreliable commuter rail services.
With the Hawks now actively targeting internal audit staff, rather than only former executives, the investigation appears to be entering a more aggressive and far-reaching phase.
What Comes Next?
Analysts expect formal arrests and possible asset seizures in the coming weeks, depending on what investigators uncover from the seized devices. The probe could potentially extend to former PRASA board members, suppliers, and political figures with links to suspicious contracts.
The Hawks have yet to release names of suspects, but confirmed that the operation is part of an ongoing effort to root out “state capture-era corruption” within public institutions.
As the scandal unfolds, South Africans are once again reminded of the long-lasting impact of unchecked corruption, and the difficult road ahead for rebuilding trust in public transport systems meant to serve the majority.
