Lucky Montana no-show leaves his two properties legally frozen

Former Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA) boss Lucky Montana failed to appear at a Special Tribunal hearing on Tuesday, where he was supposed to argue against a bid to freeze two multi-million rand properties. Montana has challenged an interim preservation order granted in July, which prevents him from selling, transferring, leasing, or dealing with a R13.5-million property in Johannesburg's Hurlingham and another purchased for R2.25-million in Pretoria's Waterkloof.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) stated that Montana did not follow the tribunal's instructions. Montana's legal representative informed the tribunal that he was only given 30 minutes' notice of the hearing and was unable to argue the case. The tribunal extended the interim order but did not schedule a new hearing, leaving the properties frozen.

The SIU asserts that the two properties were bought using corruption proceeds, following allegations of a direct link between the acquisitions and a PRASA contract awarded to Siyangena Technologies. This contract included the installation, supply, and maintenance of a ticketing system at train stations, part of a pilot project aimed at upgrading stations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to curb fare evasion and accommodate more commuters.

The SIU claims no connection between Montana's legitimate income and the property purchases, which appear to have been made through a series of linked transactions involving companies tied to the project.