By: Saneliso Mlambo
Former PRASA Group CEO Lucky Montana has denied that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a final order freezing his assets, insisting the matter is only at the provisional stage of legal proceedings. His response comes after the SIU announced it had secured an order affecting two properties linked to him as part of its investigation into a R5.6 billion PRASA information technology tender.
Montana said he was served with the SIU’s application on 9 July 2026 and filed a notice to oppose the matter last week. According to him, he has until 19 August 2026 to submit his opposing affidavit before the Special Tribunal considers the next stage of the proceedings.
Montana argued that the SIU had obtained only a provisional order to initiate legal action and not a final preservation order over his properties. He accused the anti-corruption agency of misleading the public by announcing what he described as a legal victory before the matter had been fully argued before the tribunal.
“I have read this script before,” Montana wrote in a lengthy statement. “The SIU obtained a provisional order to start the legal process, but has not obtained a preservation order.”
He further claimed the SIU deliberately released its statement on a Sunday to maximise public attention and portray him as a criminal before the court process had been completed. Those claims have not been independently verified.
Montana also renewed long-standing allegations that multiple state institutions have coordinated efforts against him since his departure from PRASA. He alleged that his refusal to allow political interference in the R53 billion Gibela train contract made him a target of senior government officials and members of the ANC.
Among his allegations, Montana claimed previous investigations by the Hawks, SARS and other law enforcement agencies failed to produce evidence against him. He further alleged that investigators had attempted to manufacture cases against him over several years. These allegations remain his claims and have not been proven in court.
The SIU has maintained that its legal action forms part of efforts to recover public funds allegedly lost through irregular procurement linked to the multi-billion-rand PRASA IT tender. The matter remains before the Special Tribunal, where Montana is expected to formally oppose the application.
The outcome of the case will ultimately depend on the evidence presented before the tribunal, which will determine whether the provisional relief should be confirmed, amended or set aside.