EWN reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) plans to approach the Western Cape High Court next week in a bid to force the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) to beef up security around the country's rail network.  

A Metrorail employee was robbed at gunpoint at the Koeberg train depot this week.  The union has also raised general safety and security concerns.  Untu’s Sonja Carstens said:  “Our members are robbed constantly and assaulted by commuters as well.”  There have been numerous attacks on Prasa staff across Cape Town over the past year, including the murder of train driver Piet Botha at Netreg station in July last year.  The union and Prasa are also currently embroiled in a wage dispute.

• Read this report by Shamiela Fisher in full at EWN
• Read too, Metrorail staff 'fear for their lives in dangerous environment', at Cape Times
• And also, Dis ’n ‘oorlogsone’ vir Prasa-werkers, at Netwerk24 (limit on access)

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page