By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Special Tribunal has ordered that five luxury properties in gated estates – as well as pension benefits worth some R1.8 million – linked to former Transnet executives and their spouses must be frozen, pending the outcome of an application to have them forfeited to the state.
The order dated 8 August 2022, prohibits Zakhele Lebelo, his wife Alletta Mokgoro Mabitsi, and Phathutshedzo Brighton Mashamba and his wife Matlhodi Phillicia Mashamba from selling, leasing, donating or transferring the titles of their luxury properties in Rosebank and Deinfern.
The SIU investigation revealed the properties were allegedly funded by money received from service providers contracted by Transnet.
“Therefore, the luxury properties constitute proceeds of unlawful activities hence the application for a preservation order pending the final determination of the review application,” said the SIU in a statement.
The SIU and Transnet had approached the Special Tribunal following an investigation that revealed that the two Transnet executives allegedly received unlawful financial benefits worth approximately R10 million from Transnet service providers Superfecta Trading 209 (Superfecta) and BBDM Bros Advertising Agency (BBDM).
“The executives allegedly used unlawful financial benefits to acquire luxury properties on behalf of Trusts administered by themselves and their spouses,” said the SIU.
Superfecta provided Transnet’s electrical and maintenance services from 2016, while BBDM obtained a long-term lease of Transnet Property’s Carlton Skyrink Building in 2015.
Between February 2016 to August 2018, Superfecta earned over R64 million in payments from Transnet as a result of its business with Transnet Property. BBDM was paid tenant installation allowances totalling over R73 million from March 2015 to June 2018.