Witness B has linked Lucky Molefe, a nephew of notorious underworld businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, to a web of tender manipulation at Transnet that allegedly contributed to the murder of engineer Armand Swart.

Testify before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday, Witness B, an officer directly involved in the murder investigation, said Molefe orchestrated the awarding of a key Transnet contract to the SK Group — a company he is directly connected to.

According to the witness, Molefe effectively rigged the tender process to benefit SK, sidelining legitimate long-term suppliers in what has been described as a “sham competition.”

“Lucky Molefe was the buyer, the one facilitating the entire process,” Witness B testified.

“He already knew SK Group would get the tender. The other companies were just there to create the illusion of a bidding process.”

At the heart of the controversy is QTech, a supplier with over 40 years of history with Transnet.

Known for providing essential components like metal springs priced as low as R3.90 each, QTech was blindsided in 2023 when SK Group approached them to purchase the very same springs they had always sold directly to Transnet.

QTech was even more alarmed to discover SK Group had sold the springs back to Transnet at an inflated price of R151 per unit.

“The inspector flagged this immediately, asking Transnet if they were aware of the massive price jump,” Witness B explained.

“He was told the matter would be escalated — but nothing happened.”

Instead, a second purchase order mysteriously emerged — this time listing the springs at R5.10, in what appears to be a panicked attempt to cover up the discrepancy.

The manipulation was eventually reported by a whistleblower from QTech to the Department of Public Enterprises, triggering a formal investigation and bringing the scandal to light.

Witness B alleged that this corrupt scheme created pressure that ultimately contributed to the death of Swart.

Swart was gunned down in Vereeniging on April 17, 2024.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Witness A told the commission that Molefe, the uncle, was involved in the murder case of Swart and also trying to bribe his away out of prison.

Authorities discovered a trove of sensitive documents—company registration papers, tender applications linked to Transnet, and files related to SK Group, a firm supplying Transnet Freight Rail.

One document raised eyebrows: a page filled with repeated signatures, as if someone had been practicing forgeries.

Witness B is expected to continue with her testimony on Thursday.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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