Western Cape Government and PRASA help to create economic opportunities | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Government and PRASA help to create economic opportunities

9 February 2021

The Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) and PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) Western Cape are collaborating on an R10 million labour-intensive project to clear vegetation in rail reserves in various parts of Cape Town. The project will provide employment for 80 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) until 31 March 2022. It will also create economic opportunities for small-scale contractors at a critically important time.

Keeping rail reserves clear of vegetation is vitally important for safe rail operations. DTPW and PRASA are also working on a plan to relocate informal dwellings established in the Central Line railway reserve. This is the first step to bringing the Central Line back into service.

EPWP workers are already engaged in clearing vegetation at Mutual and Langa stations on the Central Line, Ndabeni and Pinelands stations on the Cape Flats Line, Salt River and Observatory stations on the Southern Line, and Koeberg and Maitland stations on the Northern Line.

“This project is a good example of cooperative governance towards common goals”, said Provincial Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela. “Our common goals include keeping rail travel safe, and restoring the Central Line service to rail commuters in locations that include Philippi, Mitchells Plain, and Khayelitsha”, he added.

The workforce includes weed cutting teams, brush cutting operators with full personal protective equipment, tree cutting teams, and workers collecting and disposing of cut material and litter.

Media Enquiries: 

Jandré Bakker
Head of Communication
Department of Transport and Public Works
Email: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za