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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has launched the new plan, which includes a partnership with the police, state security and justice departments.
The Cleveland train station in Johannesburg has been vandalized and stripped of its infrastructure during the closure. Image: Edwin Ntshidi / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Transport unions hope that the South African Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) will see some change under the new inter-ministerial security plan, which aims to protect the rail system from vandals, but are concerned about its implementation.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has launched the new plan, which includes a partnership with the police, state security and justice departments.
Each year, the railway agency loses millions of rand when unions strip cables and other essential equipment, causing trains to be out of service for long periods.
Satawu’s Tinzi Lubabalo said that while the inter-ministerial security plan looked good, he was concerned about how it would be implemented to make sure unions were treated once and for all.
“Criminals and accused have long had a field day in Prasa. These are the steps that should have been taken three years ago.”
Untu’s Sonja Carstens has also welcomed the plan, but said the proof was in the pudding.
“The government’s commitment for the first time, a bit of political will, ensures that the vision of moving from highway to rail becomes a reality.”
Mbalula has acknowledged that Prasa is broken and a disaster due to years of mismanagement, yet he is confident that this plan will bring much-needed stability to the rail agency.
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