Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has officially introduced Zolani
Kgosietsile Matthews as the new Prasa Group CEO.
The state-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
(Prasa) has not had a permanent CEO since 2015 and Mbalula said Matthews’
appointment signals a positive change.
The appointment follows the labour court earlier this month
ordered Prasa to reinstate fired executive on January 29 – the head of the
Prasa Development Foundation, Nqobile Pearl Munthali.
“Matthews is a seasoned professional, with a robust
understanding of international and domestic business strategy who has operated
in dynamic, complex and agile organisations. His professional track record of
over 30 years bears witness to his focus on corporate governance, transparency
and value-based organisations,” Mbalula said.
The rail agency has been dogged by fraud and financial
mismanagement problems over the past 12 years, which Mbalula said, were
pronounced in 2015/16.
“Irregular expenditure stood at R4.1 billion alongside
fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R541 millio. Today, the new is born, but
the old chapter cannot be closed until we have stabilised corporate governance,
management, commuter rail operations and resume the course towards modernising
passenger rail in the country,” Mbalula added.
The Prasa board has welcomed the appointment.
Matthews holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration
from Harvard University and is currently employed as full-time as a Councillor
of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa). He also
serves as the Chairperson of the Ports Regulator of South Africa.
