The United National Transport Union (UNTU) is deeply disappointed in the Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters and believes that her actions are a disgrace to the Batho Pele (Putting People First) principles that all public servants are required to practice.
“She sets a terrible example of putting the needs of her employees first and is no role model” says Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.
Harris pleaded with Peters, in an Open Letter on 5 August last year, to force PRASA to improve its security because our railway lines are under siege from criminals and our member’s lives are being threatened daily.
Harris and a delegation of UNTU even met with the Ministers special advisor, while she was on stress related sick leave, for more than a month last year after the elections.
“Although the Minister’s office promised UNTU a response in writing within a week, the Union is still waiting for it. UNTU and its affiliate federation, FEDUSA, also asked Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in December last year to engage with his Minister and any other stakeholder who might be able to assist and convene a task team to address the burning safety issue. This request also fell on deaf ears,” says Harris.
He believes the Minister was in bad taste when she called on PRASA yesterday to impose “severe” consequence management measures to prevent a repeat of the head-on collision between two passenger trains at the Lynross railway line during the peak hours of Monday evening.
Peters urged PRASA to take immediate measures to improve safety and reliability of trains. She also apologised for the inconveniences that might have been caused to commuters who were stranded after the services on the line was suspended until further notice.
“The Minister has never apologised to PRASA staff who are risking their lives to service the broader public, knowing that there is a likelihood that they will be attacked by criminals whilst on duty. The Minister cannot plead ignorance. She is well informed that PRASA employees are considered soft targets.
“It is shocking to realize that a Minister cares more about the broader public who elected her rather than her employees who serve her. She keeps quiet on the fate of PRASA employees,” says Harris.
Harris makes it clear that UNTU’s members are not unsympathetic towards commuters, their safety and their lives. Yesterday UNTU whished both train drivers and more than 200 commuters, who were injured in the collision, a speedy recovery.
“Commuters must realize that the operational staff of PRASA is also trying to protect their lives. The situation has deteriorated so severely in the past eight months that train crews are so stressed whilst on duty and cannot focus on normal safety procedures. How can it be expected of them to be alert to red signals if they constantly need to look around for possible attackers? Attackers who either try to rob them with firearms or wants to set them alight and vandalise the trains, due to the lack of service, over which the employees on ground level has no control, “says Harris.
For more information phone Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
