Group Chief Executive, Transnet, Chief Executive, Eskom
Brian Molefe: what the State Capture Commission found, and what happened next
Where it stands
Molefe is charged in the Transnet locomotives case, which had not gone to trial as of 22 October 2026. A ruling on a strike-off application is due on 26 November 2026. He was also listed in September 2025 as an accused in the Transnet transaction advisory contract case, whose 2026 status was not confirmed.Named in the Commission's report: Part I (New Age); Part II Vol 1 (Transnet); Part IV (Eskom).
What the Commission found
- The Commission found that Molefe, with other Transnet executives, helped the Guptas loot Transnet.7Report reference: Part II Vol 1 (Transnet)
- The Commission found that Molefe, with Koko, Singh and Zwane, was complicit in knowingly helping the Guptas acquire the Optimum coal mine.4Report reference: Part IV (Eskom)
What it recommended
- Part I recommended the NPA consider fraud or PFMA charges over Transnet dealings with The New Age.1
- Part II recommended he be investigated and charged over a R20 million settlement to General Nyanda Security Advisory Services, and investigated over R79.23 million paid to a company linked to Eric Wood.7
What happened next
- Charged. A ministerial reply to a parliamentary question asked on 30 September 2025 listed him among accused in the Transnet locomotives case and the Transnet transaction advisory contract case, both enrolled in court by the IDAC.6
- Charged. The NPA said the locomotive acquisition corruption case was being transferred to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg.5
- Court proceedings. The accused applied to have the case struck off the roll over alleged delays and the State opposed the application. Charges as reported include fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the PFMA.2
- Court proceedings. The Johannesburg High Court reserved judgment on the strike-off application in the locomotives case, with a ruling due on 26 November 2026.3
Their response
No public response was found in the sources reviewed.
Sources
- Daily Maverick, The list: the people and businesses the State Capture Commission recommends for prosecution by the NPA (Part 1) (5 January 2022)
- EWN, State, defence at loggerheads over bid to have Transnet corruption case struck off roll (16 October 2026)
- EWN, Transnet corruption trial: High Court yet to rule on strike-off bid (22 October 2026)
- Mail & Guardian, Zondo recommends former Eskom executives Koko and Singh face criminal charges (29 April 2022)
- National Prosecuting Authority, Corruption case against Dr Gigaba and former Transnet executives transferred to the High Court (30 January 2026)
- Parliamentary Monitoring Group (ministerial reply), Question NW4912 to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (reply on IDAC state capture cases) (30 September 2025)
- TimesLIVE, Wrap: everything you need to know about part 2 of state capture report (2 February 2022)
Commission findings are not criminal convictions. Some findings have been challenged in court. Each finding is attributed to the Commission and linked to its report.