Prasa ‘failing its customers’

The Metrorail system in the City of Cape Town is in jeopardy, this as the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has failed to pay to protect rail commuters.

The city has since asked Transport Minister Blade Nzimande to declare a state of emergency, said mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron yesterday.

“I want to express my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who was killed during a horrific attack on commuters who were travelling on the train between Lynedoch and Eerste River on Friday evening, September 7, 2018,” Herron said in a statement.

Eight other commuters were also robbed of their belongings, and thrown off the train. One commuter was found with a broken knife blade embedded in his head.

Herron wished them a speedy recovery and called on the police to investigate the incident as a matter of priority.

“I am shocked beyond words by the horrific details of this latest attack,” he said. “Cape Town’s rail commuters, who are among the most vulnerable in our society, are facing an onslaught of violence on a daily basis.

“This latest incident has prompted me to publicly express my exasperation with the fact that to date Prasa has failed to pay their part of the funding that is needed for the special rail enforcement unit that the city is currently training. Prasa is placing the very service they need in jeopardy.”

In May, Prasa signed a memorandum of agreement and committed to co-fund this special unit together with the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government.

The city and the province had stepped up to the plate and offered assistance to Metrorail commuters.

“We have done so because our commuters are our residents and they are required to commute under unacceptable, dehumanising, and unsafe conditions,” he said.

Despite Prasa’s obligation, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court, to ensure a safe public transport service and all of the city’s efforts to help the agency to honour their obligation, Prasa’s contribution of R16 million was still being awaited.

The city had sent several urgent reminders to the Prasa executive to fulfil their duties.

“Given that we are R16 million short, the city had to cut down on the number of recruits for this enforcement unit who will be focusing on the safety and security of Metrorail commuters and infrastructure,” Herron said.

“As local government, we’re already going beyond our mandate to contribute and fund a solution that is the sole responsibility of national government.”

The cost to establish and operate the unit for a period of 12 months was about R47.9 million. – ANA