Prasa officer fights for life after railway shooting

THE United National Transport Union (UNTU) has expressed outrage over the constant blame game being carried out by the commuter rail operator company and police while innocent staffers are under attack.

This is after a Metrorail Protection Service (MPS) official Mkululani Nelani, 31, is fighting for his life in Groote Schuur Hospital after being shot and wounded on duty.

“The incident happened at 3.34 this morning (Thursday) while on vehicle patrol in the notorious Bonteheuwel and Netreg area. According to his colleague’s statement they spotted four men near the tracks.

“On approaching them, the men opened fire on their vehicle. Multiple shots were fired; three struck the vehicle and one hit the driver in the chest. His colleague rushed him to hospital where he is awaiting surgery to remove the bullet,” Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said.

Nelani has been working for Metrorail since 2008.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said circumstances surrounding the shooting of a 31-year-old Prasa protection officer was being investigated.

An attempted murder case was registered for investigation.

General secretary of UNTU Steve Harris said all Nelani’s colleagues were traumatised by the events.

“UNTU brought an urgent court application against Prasa in March this year in the Western Cape High Court to ask the court to force the passenger rail operator to provide safe working conditions for its employees, of whom we represent the majority, on the notorious Central Line where armed robberies of train crews and commuters are a daily occurrence,” Harris said.

He said Prasa responded that the “state-owned enterprise can do no more” and that “it was the responsibility of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to combat crime on railway lines”.

Harris said: “According to the SAPS they have no obligation towards protecting employees of Prasa as the company are obliged to do so in terms of the terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. We disagree with the SAPS. In terms of the constitutional mandate given to the SAPS, it has an obligation to protect all of those who live in South Africa, their property and the infrastructure of the State.”

Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said: “It is unacceptable that our employees should be subjected to such danger in the line of duty. We can no longer stand by while our employees are assaulted, stoned and shot at.”

Donald Grant, MEC for Public Works and Transport, said: ”Criminal elements entering into our rail network are a serious concern. Criminal activities of this nature threaten not only Metrorail’s ability to run a safe and reliable public transport system, but also the livelihood of many who rely on the service.”