SIU to probe multibillion-rand security and locomotive contracts, 'ghost employees' at Prasa

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been given the go-ahead to investigate two disastrous contracts at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), as well as the employment of over a thousand "ghost employees". 

The SIU has been investigating fraud and corruption at the embattled rail agency since 2019. 

The new proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa empowers the agency to widen its probe to include the Swifambo and Siyangena contracts, salaries paid to fake employees, and the payment of fraudulent liability claims by Prasa's insurance department.