Meeting held in KZN to discuss challenges with commuter rail transport

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda held a meeting with PRASA and officials from law enforcement agencies to resolve the stand-off between train commuters in uMlazi and the rail parastatal today.

The meeting follows the torching of a train, four cars and a ticket office at UMlazi Train Station on Friday. Preliminary investigations reveal that commuters went on a rampage after experiencing train delays.

On Thursday, a female train driver was attacked in Stanger by commuters and she is currently fighting for her life in hospital.

Kaunda has condemned the incidents and vowed that police will work around the clock to ensure that all those responsible for the damage of government property and the attack on a train driver will be brought to book.

Kaunda said that government viewed both the uMlazi and Stanger incidents as pure acts of criminality and the law enforcement agencies must ensure that the culprits who committed crime face the full might of the law.

“No amount of anger can warrant damage to property whether public or private. As government, we have taken a decision that people who embark on illegal public protests and damage property must be charged criminally and be litigated individually,” said Kaunda.

Kaunda said it was critical that stability returns in the area so that trains can resume operations.