Cape Times reports that there are growing fears of unprecedented chaos within the rail system following the “abrupt” termination of the contracts of 20 private security company by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa).  

The United National Transport Union (Untu) said following the terminations at the end of October, vandalism of infrastructure has hit a crisis level.  According to Untu, police, who were expected to be placed at strategic places as interim relief, were nowhere to be seen.  The union accused Prasa of failing to keep its promise to protect commuters, employees and assets.  General secretary Steve Harris claimed the result was “massive damage to the infrastructure and yet another devastating blow to Prasa employees who have to sit back and look at how their jobs are being placed at risk.”  Attorney Mark Hess, who represents three of the security companies who are challenging Prasa’s decision to terminate their contacts, said his clients foresaw “chaos in the upcoming months”.  The companies filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, seeking an order declaring that they should continue to render their services to Prasa for November.  According to Hess, since 1 November no other security companies have been seen to take over security duties on the southern, northern and central lines, except for the SAPS Rail Unit.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times

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