Mobs threaten train drivers
TENSIONS are running high on passenger trains across Durban, commuters are angry at the increasing delays and have threatened train drivers who now feel “unprotected”.
Last week, a mob angered by the delays after a train got stuck mid-trip, tried to hijack a passenger train by allegedly forcing the driver, Zina Katzen, to take the Kwamashu route instead of going to Kwadukuza (Stanger), north of Durban.
The commuters pelted the train with stones and damaged the ticket booth at Duffs Road station.
A single railway line had been working for the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa)run trains, while the lines were allegedly being used by Transnet Freight Rail.
The Sunday Tribune made calls, texts and SMSES to Prasa this week, which did not respond.
United National Transport Union (Untu) general secretary Steve Harris said the latest incident had sparked fears among their members, which included drivers and Prasa officials.
He said when the train came to a standstill, security removed unruly passengers. They had been alerted by the operational centre when they overheard passengers threatening Katzen through the communication system.
“Train drivers fear for their lives. Others were even contemplating taking early retirement. It is scary. Kwamashu has become another hot spot after sporadic incidents in umlazi where trains were set alight causing extensive damage to the property.
“People think a train is like a car, that you can just steer to any direction as you wish, but it is on another rail and things can go wrong,” he said.
In another incident, Harris said train driver Jesse Selvan had been communicating with the operational centre asking for assistance when her manager overheard commuters threatening to kill her.
Harris said the problems were caused by cable theft and the theft of signals in the area.
“We understand the level of frustrations from the commuters and the poor communication from Prasa does not help either. The train stops for hours because of ageing infrastructure and cable theft. This frustrates commuters who then vent their anger on drivers.
“Their frustrations have been relegated to nothing by the agency,” he said.
Harris said security did not have the required equipment to deal with attacks and said they shouted to drivers to run.
“Both commuters and workers are not safe, they could be targets for robbers when a train just stops in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
Harris accused the agency of a poor relationship with staff. A freight train driver, who spoke to the Sunday Tribune under the condition of anonymity, said they too were under attack. He said their trains were often stoned.
“When commuters have issues with Prasa they blame the goods train for causing delays, it is not fair. My goods train was stoned twice in one day. But cable theft causes the delays when it affects the signals and we are not to blame.”
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said a case of malicious damage was opened at Kwamashu police station but no arrests have been made.