NPA charges McKinsey SA with fraud over Transnet locomotive debacle

30th September 2022 By: News24Wire

 NPA charges McKinsey SA with fraud over Transnet locomotive debacle

Photo by: Creamer Media

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has indicted McKinsey South Africa on charges of fraud, theft and corruption related to State capture at Transnet. 

The NPA's Investigating Directorate announced on Friday that it had charged former McKinsey director Vikas Sagar and current employee Goitseone Mangope.

Mangope, who has been charged in his representative capacity as an employee of the company, made a brief appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Friday morning.  

Sagar, who has been charged both as a company representative and in his personal capacity, did not appear in court as he is not in the country. 

NPA spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka, who described the indictment as a "victory", said:

"They are expected to [again] appear on 14 October at this same court where they will be joined by their other co-accused."

Mangope and Sagar join a host of other top executives from the government and private sector who have already been charged in the case. 

These include Transnet's former CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama, the company's former finance chiefs Anoj Singh and Garry Pita, and its former group treasurer, Phetolo Ramosebudi

Also in the dock are Regiments executives Eric Wood, Niven Pillay and Litha Nyhonhya, Trillian Asset Management director Daniel Roy, and Albatime's Kuben Moodley.

The accused have been arraigned on charges stemming from a controversial tender awarded to a consortium led by McKinsey SA a decade ago to advise Transnet on buying 1 064 locomotives to upgrade its ageing fleet. The tender ended up ballooning to around R54-billion. 

McKinsey has paid back the consulting fees it earned at Transnet, as well as at Eskom and SAA. 

"Regiments Capital was irregularly onboarded and ended up benefitting from the irregular appointment by Transnet in respect of the contract. The contract value and scope for the services required was later escalated to more than R305-million," said the NPA. 

Wood, who applied for relaxation of his bail conditions earlier in the month to travel to the UK, is expected to return to South Africa on Friday.