On 13 October 2026, the civil organisation #UniteBehind handed an affidavit and forensic report to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Cape Town, calling for urgent investigations and prosecutions over the corrupt Swifambo/PRASA locomotive deal.
The contract, awarded by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) in 2013 at an approximate value of R3.5 billion, saw only 13 of 70 promised locomotives delivered. These locomotives have since been revealed as too tall for South Africa’s rail infrastructure, rendering them unsafe and unfit for service.
In July 2017, the Gauteng High Court declared the Swifambo tender corrupt and fraudulent. This judgment was upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in November 2018 when it dismissed Swifambo’s appeal. The Johannesburg High Court also found the contractual arrangement between Swifambo and Vossloh to be a criminal offence under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, describing it as fronting.
Despite multiple court rulings, no criminal prosecutions have yet been initiated. In May 2025, the transparency organisation Open Secrets filed court papers compelling the Hawks and NPA to finalise investigations and decide on prosecutions related to PRASA corruption cases, including the Swifambo contract. During a parliamentary committee hearing in August 2026, it was confirmed that no prosecutions had commenced on these matters.
Adding to the pressure, South Africa’s Department of Justice announced on 25 July 2026 that it had received a mutual legal assistance request from Spain. This relates to alleged corruption involving Makhensa Mabunda and others connected to the Vossloh/Swifambo locomotive deal.
#UniteBehind’s director, Zackie Achmat, said at the Cape Town handover: “The money that was stolen was money for infrastructure, rolling stock, signalling and security. Its theft produced the collapse of lines and services.” The Gauteng High Court had earlier described corruption as “a cancer that is slowly eating at the fabric of our society.”
PRASA has stated through spokesperson Andiswa Makanda that it is unaware of any ongoing criminal proceedings in relation to the Swifambo case but supports investigations when information requests are made. She added that PRASA was unable to comment further.
The locomotive procurement scandal has severely impacted South Africa’s rail services. The locomotives delivered are unsuitable for the network, leading to further deterioration of public transport infrastructure critical to millions daily. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption and maladministration within state entities.
The next step will be whether the NPA will officially open prosecutions in Cape Town following the latest submissions from #UniteBehind and ongoing international cooperation. Cape Flats News will monitor developments closely.