DURBAN - South African rail agency Prasa will be heading to court to have the suspension fo their safety permit by RSR lifted.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa was issued with a suspension by the Rail Safety Regulator last Thursday after a collision between two train sets in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
Here is a look at some of the Prasa stories that made the headlines in 2018.
1. Arson attacks on Metrorail costs South Africa almost R700 million
Prasa revealed this week that the arson attacks that took place over the past three years cost R636 million. According to the chief executive at Prasa Sibusiso Sithole 71% of the arson attacks occurred in Cape Town and the losses stand at R451,6 million.
2. Prasa vows to pay R16m towards rail safety in Cape Town
In September 2018, Prasa pledged R16 million towards a collaboration between themselves and the Western Cape Provincial Government to train and deploy 100 security officers onto the Cape Town railways.
3. #TrainArson: No train service from September 'if Prasa doesn't comply'
Earlier this year Prasa was issued with a temporary safety permit by the RSR. However, the RSR warned the railway agency that there would be no train services if they didn't get their act together.
4. Prasa bosses' R87m ride on gravy train
Towards the end of July a number of Prasa officials were busted for failing to divulge that their business partners were awarded contrcats that were more close to R90 million.
Auditor General Kimi Makwetu discovered the dodgy transactions during an audit of the rail agency's finances in the 2016/2017 financial year.
5. Transport minister expresses concern over 'troubled' Prasa
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande expressed his concerns about the rail agency saying that they were too caught up in past problems that the new board would not have a chance to look to the future.
At the time Nzimande said, "We need to have a very serious engagement with the board... I am not even sure they have had a proper board meeting looking forward instead of just dealing with problems of the past".