Pres. Jacob Zuma should immediately step in and demand a public explanation from Transport Minister Dipuo Peters about the latest in the never ending debacle surrounding the crippled Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
“Just like organised labour the South African public no longer believes a word coming from PRASA’s Management or its Minister. There seems to be a deliberate attempt to protect whoever are responsible for the billions the railway operation lost due to irregular tenders.”
“The United National Transport Union (UNTU) firmly believes that this taxpayers money should have been used by PRASA to improve the working conditions and salaries of our members, to adhere to its Constitutional obligation as employer to provide a safe working environment for its employees and to improve on its poor service delivery to commuters who have no choice as to make use of this form of public transport,” says Mr. Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU.
Peters yesterday denied that she had stopped a probe into the alleged corrupt contracts saying that she did not at any stage instructed any member of the PRASA Board and/or administration to stop any investigation of any nature.
In a statement the Department of Transport said “We wish to place on record that the allegations are both malicious and a deliberate distortion of the truth. Minister Peters as a shareholder in PRASA has the responsibility to ensure that PRASA delivers on its core mandate and that such delivery is underpinned by prudent and good governance principles.”
Like other stakeholders and political parties UNTU has gotten hold of the letter sent by Peters to Mr. Popo Molefe, Chairperson of PRASA, dated 12 August 2016 and marked as “Confidential”.
In the letter the Minister writes “I therefore, ask that you close off this investigation process and consider the results or reports thereof. Furthermore, the board is requested to submit a detail report indicating the progress and the outcome of the investigation. A determination of any further investigation and a way forward will subsequently be made after studying the report in detail.”
Harris says the Minister wrote her letter in the week that Brig. Hangwani Mulaudzi, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed to UNTU that it is a very costly and time consuming investigation for the South African Police Service as there are various tender contracts involved which will require forensic audits and analysis.
“Taking the view of the Hawks into account it is absolutely mind boggling that the Minister thinks it is justified to complain over the “long and protracted investigation” being done by Werksmans Attorneys on behalf of the PRASA board. One would have liked to see the Minister do everything in her power to assist where needs be in the investigation so that the law can take its cause and justice can be seen to be done, another Constitutional obligation she committed herself to when she took her oath as Minister,” says Harris.
It took adv. Thuli Madonsela, Public Protector, years to finalize her report entitled “Derailed” about the widespread evidence of maladministration, improper conduct, and nepotism at PRASA.
“Earlier this week UNTU and South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, (SATAWU) joined forces to demand the immediate removal of Bheki Mchunu, Senior Manager Employee Relations at PRASA whom is also representing the employer at the PRASA Bargaining Forum.
Mr. Mchunu entertains the National Transport Movement and Detawu while the constitution of the PRASA Bargaining Forum is clear that only trade unions with more than 25% plus 1 members qualify.
This continues in spite of an undertaking of PRASA’s attorneys to the contrary. PRASA’s irresponsible conduct has left the organised labour with no option but to exercise their rights in terms of the Labour Relations Act. This might include industrial action.’
For enquiries phone Mr. Harris on 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
