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GroundUp reports that three security companies have won a court application against the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) in which they argued that the early termination of their contracts, without the finalisation of an alternative contract, put passenger safety at risk.
In terms of the court's order, Prasa must continue the security contracts until the new tender is finalised or alternative measures are put in place, including an interim security plan within a month. Lobby group #UniteBehind, which had joined the three applicants in their case, earlier released a media statement saying: "Prasa recently dismissed the private security companies that provide almost 1,000 guards in Cape Town, and 2,000 more nationally, without new contracts or guards in place to take over their duties. The security companies have been operating on irregular contracts without due regard for performance, but this rash move only serves to leave our rail system vulnerable to further attack and degradation." The applicants argued that Prasa had breached its obligations to provide reasonable measures of security, and noted that the "festive season approaching will further the strain" on existing railway security. Prasa responded that the case was "merely a contractual issue", but the judge dismissed that argument, saying: "The problem is there is no provision for the interim to protect the thousands of commuters every day."
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Madison Yauger at News24
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