 |
| Johannesburg, 19 June 2016 - The Guptas have denied trying to capture rail agency Prasa. The Sunday Times says the claims are made in a letter written in 2012 by former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana. Photo: B-M-P Media |
 |
| Advertisement |
 |
| Advertisement |
The Sunday Times reports that the claims are made in a letter written in 2012 by former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana.
He claims the controversial family, along with President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane, put pressure on him and former Transport Minister Ben Martins to award a R51-billion train tender to China South Rail.
He claims the controversial family, along with President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane, put pressure on him and former Transport Minister Ben Martins to award a R51-billion train tender to China South Rail.
Montana claims he was offered shares by the Guptas, who also demanded changes to the Prasa board.
The Sunday Times says Montana wrote the letter to Prasa's then chairman, Sfiso Buthelezi, after finding out that the Department of Transport was planning to propose a board change.
He said a Gupta associate told him there was agreement at a political level that the tender should be cancelled if not awarded to the Chinese bidders.
According to the newspaper, Montana confirmed that he had written the letter and that an unsigned version of it has been seen by the Amabhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism.
The tender was eventually awarded to a French-backed company.
A Gupta spokesperson said the allegations were without foundation.