The United National Transport Union (UNTU) calls on the newly appointed Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, to put his expertise and energy to use to ensure that the criminals responsible for the torching of coaches of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), over the Easter weekend, is brought to justice.
At least R55million of tax payer’s money went up in flames, when criminals torched a Metrorail train, at the Kraaifontein Station on the Northern Line in the Western Cape. Eight coaches were destroyed and another three were badly damaged, the result is that this line now needs to function with three less train sets per day.
Another three coaches were severely damaged due to an electrical fault over the Easter Weekend in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says the continued torching of trains over the past two years in various parts of the country, contributed to the unprecedented crisis Prasa is faced with, where the passenger rail agency has doubts as for how long it will be able to pay the salaries of its employees.
In the first six months of 2016/2017 375 coaches were vandalised against the 250 in 2015/2016. In November last year, Prasa could only provide 248 train sets per day as opposed to the requirement of 287. The situation has since deteriorated as more coaches are being set alight by criminals. It costs taxpayers between R4 million and R6 million to replace a coach.
“When a group of armed robbers successfully pulled off a daring heist at the OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, and made off with foreign currencies worth an estimated R20 million, the Hawks immediately established of a task team to investigate and arrest those responsible.
“But after the torching of trains, a national asset and the cheapest form of public transport in South Africa, not a word has been heard from Mbalula. The Minister earned the nickname Mr. Razzmatazz for being active everywhere. UNTU would like to see him take responsibility for the constitutional obligations of the South African Police Service (SAPS)
“According to Chapter 11 of the Constitution the objective of the SAPS is to; prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law. UNTU believes this obligation includes Prasa,” says Harris.
The torching of trains had a devastating impact on Metrorail Commuters, who have borne the brunt of the decline in service, by being late for work, missing school and exams and being dismissed for late coming.
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.
