GQEBERHA – The PRASA rail theft matter was postponed at the Gqeberha Regional Court on Wednesday, 27 May, to allow the State to bring a formal application to secure testimony from a witness currently residing in Dubai.
The delay follows the unavailability of state witness Adrian Samuels, who was unable to travel from the United Arab Emirates, where he is now employed.
According to media reports from GroundUp, the case stems from a 2012 incident in which former PRASA regional manager Mthuthuzeli Swartz and Cape Town businessman Syed Nadhir Mohiudeen allegedly sold 42 kilometres of disused Transnet railway line between Sterkstroom and Khowa (formerly Elliot) for approximately R1.5 million as scrap metal to a Durban-based company.
Following an intervention by Transnet security in 2013, both men were arrested in 2019.
They have since pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering, GroundUp reported.
The matter has experienced multiple delays over several years.
Samuels, a key state witness, first testified in March 2025. His cross-examination has been delayed after he relocated to the United Arab Emirates for work.
The State is seeking to allow him to complete his testimony remotely via video link from Dubai.
The matter is expected to resume at the Gqeberha Regional Court on Thursday, 28 May, where an application relating to the witness’s remote testimony will be heard.
