Metrorail train 0277 was hijacked last night when passengers forced a train driver of the
United National Transport Union (UNTU) to deviate from her route.

Zina Katzen was on route from Durban to Stranger when commuters forced her at Duffs Road to go to KwaMashu.

In another train UNTU train driver Jesse Selvan was on the phone to the operational centre asking for assistance when her manager overheard commuters threatening to kill her.

Residents in the surrounding squatter camps and commuters were furious because trains from Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) were allegedly causing delays on the railway lines. The problems started due to cable theft and the theft of signals in the area.

Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says all hell broke loose. He phoned the regional security managers of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), to assist the train crews.

“Security was beefed up. Extra measures like security escorts and assistance from the South African Police Services (SAPS) have been put in place. Both lines are open today.

“Train crews are being escorted from Phoenix to Duffs Road and between Effingham and KwaMashu. The Rapid Rail Police of the SAPS are on the scene Duffs Road with members of the protection services to ensure that the situation remains stable, “says Harris.

Mr Cromet Molepo, the newly appointed Acting CEO for Prasa Rail, met with the leadership of UNTU this morning to urgently address the incidents.

Harris thanked Molepo for his time, but emphasised that UNTU expects Prasa to react proactive to protect its employees. “If there is trouble, we need Prasa to immediately suspend the service on the railway line to protect its employees from attacks. We are in dire straits,” says Harris.

Issued by UNTU