President Ramaphosa Calls for Urgent Report on PRASA Female Train Driver Attack
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has been given today as a deadline to submit a full report on an attack on one of its female drivers after a train was vandalised on Tuesday evening. A female driver was stripped naked, hit with a brick and dragged into nearby bushes as part of […]
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has been given today as a deadline to submit a full report on an attack on one of its female drivers after a train was vandalised on Tuesday evening.
A female driver was stripped naked, hit with a brick and dragged into nearby bushes as part of a sustained attack on trains along the Pretoria-Pretoria Pienaarspoort corridor.
During the incident, 10 other Prasa staff members were also attacked.
“Government will not allow crime of any kind to go unpunished, and we will act particularly severely against criminals who destroy public assets or services. These criminal acts affect users of such assets and services, as well as personnel who are themselves members of our communities.
“In Human Rights Month, we must again condemn violence against women, as was experienced by the train driver,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
At the same time, Transport Minister Blade Nzimande has given the President an undertaking that a plan outlining measures to normalise the situation around Prasa services and assets has been developed and will be announced shortly.
President Ramaphosa condemned the actions of people who destroy public assets and abuse those employed to bring about these services, as in the case of the injured train driver.
“Where grievances exist, government is always open to hearing from communities and working with South Africans to overcome any problems people may face. However, there is no grievance that justifies violence or vandalism,” said the President.
Law enforcement agencies and Prasa have been called on by the President to bring the perpetrators to book. He further called on communities to join government in efforts to sustain services.
President Ramaphosa wished the affected Prasa staff members a speedy recovery from this week’s traumatic incident. – SAnews.gov.za
Unfortunate bystander gets a slap while overfilled Metrorail passenger train passes through station – stay clear: is no joke @metrorailgp @CapeTownTrains @Metrorailwatch @PRASA_Group #commuterlife pic.twitter.com/7k0hE4glVb
— Chris Hunsinger 🇿🇦 (@CHunsingerMP) March 12, 2018
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