1. SAFTU Welcomes the Arrests – But Demands More
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) welcomes the long-overdue arrests of Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane, who now face criminal charges related to the rigged Transnet locomotive procurement deal involving China South Rail (CRRC).
All four accused appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and were each granted bail of R50,000.
This is a significant development in the long fight against state capture and economic betrayal—but justice will not be served through arrests alone. These individuals must be fully prosecuted, convicted, and the stolen wealth recovered and reinvested into the working class communities they helped devastate.
2. Zondo Commission and Public Protector: Findings of State Capture
Zondo Commission (Part 2, Vol. 1, February 2022) found:
- The 1,259 locomotive contracts were irregularly awarded,
- The tender process was manipulated to favour CRRC,
- Local industrial producers—especially Union Carriage & Wagon (UCW) in Nigel—were deliberately excluded,
- Criminal prosecution was recommended for Molefe, Singh, and Gama.
The Public Protector’s 2017 report, titled “Report of the Public Protector on an Investigation into Allegations of Improper Conduct Relating to the Procurement of Rolling Stock by Transnet” determined that the locomotive tender was “improperly confined to favour a certain bidder”, and found evidence of advance payments to CRRC in violation of procurement rules
The 2019 follow-up report reinforced these conclusions, noting that UCW in Nigel was deliberately excluded from meaningful participation, denying thousands of workers their livelihoods.
3. Nigel’s Workers: Betrayed for Corruption Profits
The workers at UCW in Nigel—a local manufacturer with proven capacity—were the primary victims. Instead of building locomotives locally and preserving jobs, CRRC was allowed to assemble abroad and import kits—gutting our industrial base.
- Jobs were lost.
- Skilled workers were discarded.
- Infrastructure was left to rot.
This was not negligence. It was industrial sabotage driven by greed.
4. SAFTU Warns the NPA: Prosecute or Face Crisis of Confidence
SAFTU raises urgent concerns about the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) ability to successfully prosecute high-profile state capture cases.
We recall:
- The collapse of the Matshela Koko prosecution,
- The stillborn Estina Dairy Farm case,
- Delays and failures in VBS Mutual Bank prosecutions.
If the NPA fails in this case, the result will be:
- Further erosion of public confidence,
- Increased cynicism toward the state’s commitment to justice,
- A signal that the powerful remain untouchable.
We demand that the NPA:
- Approach this case with the utmost preparation and urgency,
- Resist political interference,
- Bring charges that reflect the economic violence these men inflicted.
5. Workers and Youth Are Not to Blame for SA’s Economic Crisis
Let the record show:
The collapse of our economy, the rise of poverty and inequality, and the loss of jobs are not caused by workers.
Instead, they are the product of:
- Corrupt elites and state capture,
- Illicit financial outflows and price misreporting,
- Deindustrialisation and policy betrayal,
- Private capital hoarding over R1.7 trillion, while public investment collapses.
Workers paid the price. Nigel is just one example of a national tragedy.
6. SAFTU’s Demands Going Forward
- Full prosecution and convictions for all four accused—Molefe, Singh, Gama, and Jiyane;
- Recovery of looted funds to be invested in rebuilding local industries like UCW in Nigel;
- Reindustrialisation strategy with localisation mandates and worker oversight;
- Implementation of all Zondo recommendations, especially in SOEs;
- Independent monitoring of the NPA’s conduct in this and other capture cases.
7. No Justice Without Reconstruction
The arrests are a first step—but without conviction, recovery, and transformation, it will be meaningless.
We say:
No reconstruction without accountability.
SAFTU stands with NUMSA and the workers of Nigel. The people shall govern—and that includes the economy.
A Statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU by General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.For more details, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
066 168 2157
Newtonm@saftu.org.za
