The time has come for Richard Walker, the regional manager of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), to show all South African’s that he truly is a hero by implementing his drastic action plan to improve the safety on railway routes in the Western Cape.
The leadership of the United National Transport Union (UNTU), who represents most employees in PRASA, were relieved and very grateful two weeks ago, after Walker promised the union drastic action in a telephonic urgent meeting about the rapid increasing dangerous situation criminals are causing for train crew, commuters and PRASA’s assets belonging to the South African taxpayer.
Over the past eight months since the execution of train driver Piet Botha in broad daylight at the Netreg-station while waiting for a train, attacks on train crews, other PRASA staff and commuters has escalated on various busy routes to and from Cape Town.
Steve Harris, General-Secretary of UNTU, says criminals know that trains are soft targets and that nor PRASA or the South African Police Service (SAPS) has the will, the finances or the capacity to protect them against armed attacks. Neither train drivers or PRASA’s security guards can carry fire arms.
“South African’s congratulated and commended Walker three weeks ago, after he single handed was responsible for the arrest of five suspected robbers outside his Muizenberg house.
“But now Walker’s employees need him to also be a hero to them. He cannot wait until another employee die. We need him to stop talking, but to start implementing his drastic action plan,” says Harris.
On Saturday train driver Willem Spence (52), was attacked when he was driving into
Du Toit-railway station near Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. An attacker threw a brick which scattered his front train window. Pieces of glass went into his eyes and he had several cuts on his face and over his arms. Spence decided to continue with his injuries to the Stellenbosch railway station when he could not see any police officials or security guards at the Du Toit railway station to assist him. His train was filled with commuters.
For more enquiries phone 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.
