Johannesburg - The United National Transport Union (Untu) has accused the Passenger Railway Agency of SA (Prasa) and Transport Minister Dipuo Peters of gambling with the lives of train drivers and passengers in the Western Cape.
This followed a driver being attacked while on duty.
The union said on Friday criminal incidents at train stations in the province were a constant occurrence and many of its members feared for their lives.
“We are unable to calm them. This is the third life lost in two months. How many more people need to die before Prasa and the government will act? “ asked Untu general secretary Steve Harris.
The union said the latest incident took place earlier on Friday when a driver was attacked just metres from the Kraaifontein office.
The same man was also attacked in August and was traumatised to such an extent that he handed in a resignation letter after 42 years of service.
In another incident, a 51-year-old passenger was attacked while walking to the same station.
And a train driver was killed and a security guard was shot in the head while patrolling the railway lines between the Highveld and Nyanga.
The union had demanded armed security guards to accompany train drivers, but the Harris said these calls were unanswered.
“The trust relationship between Untu and Prasa has broken down completely because the rail operator has no respect or empathy for its workers and ignores some of the basic principles of collective bargaining.
“This is why Untu pleaded with Peters to intervene as the responsible minister on behalf of President Jacob Zuma only to hear that she is on sick leave for a month and the union must meet with her advisor. I personally made several phone calls to finalise this urgent meeting without success,” said Harris.
Prasa could not immediately be reached for comment.
Labour Bureau