Security guards working for Prasa remain unpaid

ABOUT 150 security guards working for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) protested outside the offices of Insingizi Security in Durban, which employs them, saying they did not receive their salaries at the end of November.

The guards were employed in October, after the regular running of trains was restored. They are stationed at railway offices, patrol the railway lines and check on the cables.

Nkosinathi Mngadi said he is heartbroken because his children call regularly saying they are hungry.

“I lost my wife during Easter and my children are crying of hunger. I’m also hungry,” he said.

Mngadi said he lives in Sydenham while his four children live in eMkhomazi. He said he was desperate for his money as it was the festive season, and he needed to register his children for school next year and buy school uniforms.

“I don’t know what to do. I had to borrow money and had to leave my cellphone, gun licence and time sheet with the loan shark. I was also locked out of where I am renting because I have not paid.”

Thembelani Qolo said they were made to sign a document regarding their outstanding payments and were told they would get paid on Tuesday, but no payments have yet gone through.

KZN Prasa spokesperson Zama Nomnganga said all security personnel should seek information from their employers, and not Prasa.

Attempts were made to contact the manager of Insingizi, who did not answer his phone or respond to messages at the time of publication.