PRASA to pay outstanding contribution for special rail enforcement unit

Joint Media Statement by Donald Grant (Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works), Brett Herron (Mayoral Committee Member, Transport and Urban Development, City of Cape Town), and Martha Ngoye (PRASARAIL Acting CEO)

PRASA reaffirms commitment to pay outstanding contribution for special rail enforcement unit

At a meeting of all three parties involved earlier today, PRASA has reaffirmed its commitment to pay its R16 million contribution towards the joint venture between the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government, and PRASA to train and deploy an additional 100 security officers into the Cape rail network. This follows the signing of our memorandum of agreement in May 2018 wherein we have all committed to the establishment of special Rail Enforcement Unit.

“The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government has already made available their R16 million contribution towards the total R47.9 million that it would take to establish and operate the new unit for a 12 month period.

“We are pleased that the training process of more than 70 security officers has already taken place utilizing funding already made available, with the training of a further 30 officers set to commence shortly,” said Cllr Brett Herron.

“The continued attacks on the rail network that threaten the provision of this essential service demand our urgent intervention. We reaffirm our collective commitment to tackling these issues and working together towards our shared goal of improving passenger rail for the thousands who rely on the services daily.

“We are intent on placing the issues plaguing passenger rail at the forefront of the agenda at the upcoming Transport Imbizo with the National Department of Transport and National Transport Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande,” said Minister Donald Grant.

“PRASA is committed to working with all the parties involved in the proposed pilot project. The matter regarding the outstanding payment of the PRASA contribution to the pilot project will now be escalated to the PRASA Board.

"This pilot project is not the only initiative but part of a range of initiatives, of which some are already being implemented to secure our assets and more importantly improve the safety and security of commuters and staff", said PRASARAIL Acting CEO, Martha Ngoye.

We remain fully committed to working together in order to confront the scourge of vandalism, theft and crime that has been afflicting Cape Town commuters, and threatening the provision of a safe and reliable service. We believe that this specialised Rail Enforcement Unit will go a long way to turning the tide on the criminality that has become so synonymous with our rail network.