ANC rejects allegations of implication in corruption

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Friday rejected allegations that the party had been implicated in corruption in relation with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

The ANC was referring to allegations that a series of payments were purportedly made to the ANC by a company awarded the contract to supply locomotives to PRASA.

PRASA Chairperson Popo Molefe claimed on Friday that 80 million rand (about 5.7 million US dollars) from a controversial train deal may have found its way to the ANC with the help of a close friend of President Jacob Zuma.

The chairperson filed an affidavit at the High Court in Johannesburg detailing how payments were made to various "mystery" parties.

"The ANC has not received any such funds from the companies concerned and condemns in the harshest possible terms rumour mongering and the use of the name of the organization between individuals in their personal deals with no mandate from the party," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

The ANC appreciates that the matter is before the courts and will attentively watch the outcomes of this process, he said.

The party reserves its rights to take action against those who impugn the reputation and integrity of the ANC, Kodwa said.

The alleged payment revelations come just two days after Transport Minister Dipuo Peters was criticized for trying to put an end to an investigation into PRASA.

The minister has since denied that this was her intention, saying instead that it needs to be expedited so that it can be finalized due to the high cost of the investigation. Endit