R33.0 billion
Total financial exposure
Arrested by the Hawks in December 2020 on charges of fraud and corruption related to the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract. Criminal case ongoing. Company ordered by the High Court to repay R2.6 billion to PRASA.
Businessman with no prior experience in rail or locomotive procurement. Through his company Swifambo Rail Leasing — a shell company registered shortly before the tender — was awarded a R3.5 billion contract to supply 70 Afro 4000 locomotives to PRASA. The locomotives were too tall for South African rail tunnels. Only 13 of 70 were delivered, and those were largely unusable. Contract declared unlawful by the High Court in 2018. Arrested by Hawks in 2020.
Pain points connected to Auswell Mashaba's documented incidents
Director / Owner
Swifambo Rail Leasing (Pty) Ltd
2011-01 – 2018-12(appointed)
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
Swifambo, owned by Mashaba, was awarded the R3.5 billion PRASA locomotive contract during Montana's tenure. The Public Protector found Montana exercised undue influence over procurement.
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
The specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have favoured the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted (Vossloh Espana).
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.
The technical specifications drafted by Mthimkhulu were alleged to have been tailored to favour Vossloh Espana, the manufacturer that Mashaba's Swifambo subcontracted.