BREAKING: Prasa appoints third acting CEO in two years

Johannesburg - The troubled Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) has appointed Cromet Molepo as its acting group CEO (GCEO).

Molepo is Prasa's third acting GCEO in the last two years.

News24 has reliably learnt that Molepo, who once left another state-owned entity amid allegations of financial misconduct, was appointed as the rail agency's new acting boss by the Prasa board on Thursday morning.

Molepo subsequently confirmed his appointment. 

Asked about his plans to ensure that the embattled state-owned rail operator is placed on the right track, Molepo said that he would rely on his experience and expertise in the rail sector. Molepo previously held the position of Prasa's head of rail operations. 

"I have been in this industry for a number of years, I understand the operations at Prasa. I am fully aware of what the company's challenges are and what is needed to get the company back on track so that it can serve the public," said Molepo. 

According to earlier media reports, Molepo was suspended by KwaZulu-Natal's Umgeni Water following indications that he had been involved in financial misconduct. 

Molepo told News24 that he was not suspended but instead chose to resign from Umgeni Water. He added that no charges were ever brought against him. 

This is the third time that Prasa has appointed an acting GCEO since 2016. Molepo was preceded by Lindikaya Zide and Collins Letsoalo.