Former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana says the decision to acquire 70 locomotives from Swifambo Rail Leasing in 2013 was a correct decision.
Speaking to Radio 702 on Tuesday‚ Montana said Prasa issued a tender for locomotives to upgrade the country’s passenger rail system.
Montana said seven companies put in their bids and Swifambo won the tender.
Also read: ‘Madonsela erred in a big way‚’ says former Prasa CEO Montana
He said although the tender was for 88 locomotives‚ the euro had strengthened to such an extent against the rand that Prasa could only afford 70 locomotives.
He said Prasa requested that Swifambo immediately supply it with 20 locomotives that Prasa could immediately put to use for long distance travel.
“They said the only train they have was the Euro 4000 which did not meet South African standards because it was long.”
The Euro 4000 locomotives have a roof height of 4‚264mm while the maximum height for diesel locomotives may not exceed 3‚965mm for South African railway tracks.
Montana said Prasa decided that the 20 locomotives be re-designed and adjusted to be ready for the South African railway network
Montana left the organisation in July last year‚ months before his contract was due to expire on March 31 this year.
He left at the time when Prasa was defending claims that the locomotives were too tall for the country’s railway tracks and could damage overhead cables.
“It was during that testing phase that the story broke out. We were busy with the first 20 that were being adjusted and tested.”
Montana said he was surprised the board had gone to court to set aside the tender it awarded to Swifambo Rail Leasing
This was because board chairman Popo Molefe had expressed satisfaction in the annual report of Prasa where he expressed satisfaction about the acquisition.
In November‚ Prasa went to the high court to set aside Swifambo’s contract to supply it with the locomotives.
TMG Digital
Decision to acquire locomotives from Swifambo was correct: Montana
Former Prasa CEO Lucky Montana says the decision to acquire 70 locomotives from Swifambo Rail Leasing in 2013 was a correct decision.
Speaking to Radio 702 on Tuesday‚ Montana said Prasa issued a tender for locomotives to upgrade the country’s passenger rail system.
Montana said seven companies put in their bids and Swifambo won the tender.
Also read: ‘Madonsela erred in a big way‚’ says former Prasa CEO Montana
He said although the tender was for 88 locomotives‚ the euro had strengthened to such an extent against the rand that Prasa could only afford 70 locomotives.
He said Prasa requested that Swifambo immediately supply it with 20 locomotives that Prasa could immediately put to use for long distance travel.
“They said the only train they have was the Euro 4000 which did not meet South African standards because it was long.”
The Euro 4000 locomotives have a roof height of 4‚264mm while the maximum height for diesel locomotives may not exceed 3‚965mm for South African railway tracks.
Montana said Prasa decided that the 20 locomotives be re-designed and adjusted to be ready for the South African railway network
Montana left the organisation in July last year‚ months before his contract was due to expire on March 31 this year.
He left at the time when Prasa was defending claims that the locomotives were too tall for the country’s railway tracks and could damage overhead cables.
“It was during that testing phase that the story broke out. We were busy with the first 20 that were being adjusted and tested.”
Montana said he was surprised the board had gone to court to set aside the tender it awarded to Swifambo Rail Leasing
This was because board chairman Popo Molefe had expressed satisfaction in the annual report of Prasa where he expressed satisfaction about the acquisition.
In November‚ Prasa went to the high court to set aside Swifambo’s contract to supply it with the locomotives.
TMG Digital
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