More stations vandalised

RAILWAY CHAOS: THREAT TO TERMINATE SECURITY CONTRACTS PUTS COMMUTERS AT RISK

‘The problem is there is no provision for the interim to protect commuters.’

The past week has seen several train stations and substations affected by vandalism, theft and burning in Gauteng. Some of the affected facilities include Maraisburg, Doornfontein, Germiston and Park stations.

On Thursday, a transformer at Benrose substation in Johannesburg was on fire.

Nana Zenani, spokesperson for Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa), said the incident is under investigation to establish whether the transformer was set alight or if the fire was caused by a technical fault.

When GroundUp visited Benrose station, the floor was covered in wires and plastic parts from the machinery in the room, and the door was blackened by

to security personnel stationed [at Park Station] a number of criminals forcibly entered the station attacking and looting some of the shops, breaking glass access gates, ticket windows and cars.”

On Tuesday, Prasa chief executive Dr Nkosinathi Sishi said the state-owned entity would increase the security at Park station along with police presence.

These acts of vandalism coincide with Prasa’s attempted termination of security contracts, which would have put many security guards out of work.

On Tuesday, Judge John Hlophe in the High Court in Cape Town cast doubt on the assertion that Prasa has enough security. “The problem is there is no provision for the interim to protect commuters,” he said.

Hlophe ordered Prasa to continue the security contracts until the new tender is finalised.

The High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday also ruled that Prasa must reinstate the services of the security companies, ordering Prasa to give a calendar month’s notice before terminating their contracts. – Republished from Groundup.org.za