Metrorail has suspended its services on the central line after a security guard was shot at Chris Hani Station just after 6pm on Tuesday. A security guard working for a private security company contacted by PRASA escorted a female metro guard from PRASA during a shift on the Metrorail train between Cape Town and Khayelitsha.
Two men approached them and shot the security guard in his throat, he died instantly. The incident caused significant delays and has forced commuters to make alternative transport arrangements this morning.
The United National Transport Union (UNTU), the biggest union within PRASA, informed Cromet Molepo who is the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, that its members will not be working on the Central Line as of today unless members of the police and more security guards are present on the trains and the platforms of the stations where they need to stop.
UNTU applied for a court order in March 2017 at Western Cape High Court to force PRASA to adhere to the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Constitution to provide a safe working environment for its employees.
PRASA opposed the application, and said the state-owned enterprise can do no more and that the SAPS are not assisting the passenger rail service. UNTU also joined the SAPS as a respondent in the application. The matter will be heard in the third court term this year.
Stranded commuters were not impressed and voiced their opinion on Twitter.
Im scared to take a train nowadays, I never know if today will be me last day or I’ll end up being paralysed ? ayyy #Metrorail
— Lee (@kHello_263) January 10, 2018
Central line is down again. #metrofail #metrorail We cannot run a city where this is the level of reliability of the main transport corridor. Spare a thought for those having to shell out for a bus, taxi or simply having to walk.
— Clare Hendry (@Clare_Hendry) January 10, 2018
Picture: UNTU