Johannesburg – The former head of Transnet’s Legal Department, Kenneth Diedricks, Charles Ernest Pretorius and Refiole Desmond Martins, appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
The trio, who appeared in court Wednesday, (9 November 2022), are facing charges of corruption and money laundering involving more than R60 million.
Pretorius and Martins were employed as Director and Contract Manager respectively by Polyzomba, a company that did rail maintenance for Transnet.
The matter dates back to 2006 when (Transnet Freight Rail) TFR awarded a tender to Polyzomba, for the replacement of turnouts/track panels on the railway network under the jurisdiction of Depot Engineers on the Natal Main Line, Coal Line and Empangeni Depot.
The official duration of the contract was from 3 April 2006 to 2 April 2011 and was valued at almost R64 million.
After the expiry of the TFR and Polyzomba contract, the latter lodged a contractual dispute with TFR for the payment of an ancillary contractual payment to the total value of R25 million.
Before a settlement between TFR and Polyzomba could be concluded, the consultation, approval and signatures of Diedricks, the General Manager of Rail Network.
The signature of the Principal Engineer was also required.
Allegations are that on 19 December 2011, Diedricks and the General Manager Rail co-signed and approved the settlement of more than R25 million as payment to Polyzomba without the consultation, knowledge, approval and signature of the engineering department of TFR, nor the Principal Engineer.
The State alleges that, months after TFR paid Polyzomba R25 million, Diedricks was paid at least R300 000 from an account held by Polyzomba towards purchasing a house in Bassonia.
The house was valued at R3,7 million.
Allegations are that Diedricks also received a carpet worth R20 000 from Umthombo Resources, another company contracted to Transnet.
However, the State did not oppose bail.
All accused were released on R10 000 bail each.
The corruption-accused trio was given bail on the condition that they should notify the investigating officer 14 days in advance of travelling out of South Africa.
If they intend to do so, the accused must provide the Investigating officer with a full itinerary of their travel arrangements.
All accused will return to court on 7 March 2023, for disclosure of the contents of the docket to the defence team.
