Latest attack on Metrorail train driver reaffirms the need to improve security

Statement by Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

I strongly condemn this latest attack on a Metrorail train driver that occurred yesterday evening. The incident took place between Kraaifontein and Muldersvlei when the train driver was stabbed and robbed by three men.

The latest victim received medical attention soon after the incident, and is fortunately recovering at home. We wish him a speedy recovery.

This latest attack reaffirms the need to improve security in the rail network, which is the focus of the work currently underway with the Rail Management Task Team, chaired by me, as the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works. The Rail Management Task Team was established as a result of the City of Cape Town’s Rail Summit held on 9 February 2018. The task team is cross-sectoral, and has members from the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, PRASA, Metrorail, as well as the private sector. The aim of the task team is to focus specifically on improving security in the network, with a view of training and deploying additional security personnel in the near future. The task team met for the first time on 29 March 2018, and has confirmed the commitment to funding from the provincial government, the City of Cape Town, and from PRASA.

While we look at ways to improve security in the rail network, we must also continue to take a stand against criminal elements that hold public transport operators to ransom. These elements threaten the provision of safe and reliable public transport for the thousands that rely on it on a daily basis, which is completely unacceptable.

This latest attack is another sign of the dangers that Metrorail employees face when criminal elements penetrate the rail network with the intention to cause harm. These acts of criminality must be condemned by us all, and effectively investigated by the SAPS to ensure that these criminals are brought to justice.