Former Prasa Executive Sentenced to 15 Years for Fraud

Daniel Mthimkhulu, the former head of engineering at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for committing fraud.

On Tuesday, the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court delivered the sentence after Mthimkhulu was found guilty of three counts of fraud, including falsifying his qualifications. He had misrepresented his academic credentials to secure a higher salary at Prasa.

Magistrate Philip Venter handed down the 15-year sentence alongside two additional six-year sentences on the other fraud counts, which will run concurrently. This ruling is part of the broader effort to address issues related to state capture.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has classified this case as significant in their ongoing actions against corruption. NPA spokesperson Katlego Mogale emphasized the importance of these prosecutions in restoring public confidence.

Mthimkhulu falsely claimed to have a master’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and a doctorate in engineering management from the Technische Universität München in Germany. His fraudulent activities allowed him to obtain a salary of R2.8 million, significantly higher than his previous earnings.

In a previous ruling, the Gauteng High Court ordered Mthimkhulu to repay R5.7 million to Prasa, representing the overpayment he received due to his fraudulent claims. The case highlights the risks associated with inadequate vetting processes in state-owned enterprises.