Metrorail's financial woes now compromise the security of its passengers

Leaked documents indicate that Metrorail will on 12 March 2010 cancel contracts with security companies that have been providing safety and security services to commuters at train stations.

Metrorail's decision to cancel these contracts follows the decision by the supplier companies to increase staff wages for the first time in two years and thus increase the costs of providing security to Metrorail. When suppliers turned to the courts for relief, Metrorail opted to terminate the contracts in order to avoid paying the increases.

Staff at Metrorail have informed me that the security gaps left by the termination of these contracts will be addressed by the deployment of 2000 South African Commuters Organisation (SACO) safety patrollers, who unlike security guards from private security companies, do not carry firearms. SACO is a Non-Governmental Organisation not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulating Authority and are therefore not adequately trained for the provision of security services.

While it is indeed true that Metrorail and its parent company, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has been experiencing cash-flow problems of late due to chronic under-funding, commuters should have not to bear the brunt of this by having their safety compromised at train stations.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued parliamentary questions to the Minister of Transport in order to determine what steps the Minister will be taking to ensure the safety of commuters at train stations.

Statement issued by Manny de Freitas, MP, Democratic Alliance deputy shadow minister of transport, March 7 2010

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