Angry Guards Run Amock, Disrupt Train Schedule
10 November 2019
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By A Correspondent- Angry axed-security guards disrupted train travelling from Mamelodi to Tshwane station by barricading the railway line on Friday.

The guards used concrete pillars and different rubbles to prevent trains from transporting commuters to their destinations.

The disruptions affected mostly commuters using trains from Pienaarspoort in Mamelodi to Tshwane station and Joburg.

The security guards and cleaners started picketing on Monday at Pretoria Station in Tshwane demanding their jobs back after their contracts were terminated.

South African Cleaners, Security and Allied Workers Union national organiser, Andries Potsane said the security guards need their jobs back because most of them were breadwinners.

“They need their jobs nothing else. Their children suffering and struggling to cope. You can’t take some else job when you know that jobs are scarce in South Africa” he said.

He said please no one should touch other people’s jobs without having something else for them.

Potsane blamed Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for everything that the security guards were going through.

He said that since the picketing started other security guards have failed to write their exams.

“We blame you PRASA as our leaders who should think for us,” he said.

General Industries Workers Union of South Africa’s shop steward, Lawrence Phora said they are in solidarity with the workers who lost their jobs.

“As ordinary workers, PRASA should provide alternative because members have been left unemployment,” he said.

According to PRASA’s spokeswoman, Nana Zenani the contract with the security company ended on 31 October this year.

She said the contract was found to be irregular by a special investigative unit report.

Metrorail spokeswoman, Lillian Mofokeng said the money owed to security companies was paid on Thursday.

“We apologise for the delay,” she said.

Mofokeng said she heard their grievances and will escalate them to the superiors.

“Give us a chance to take your grievances to our bosses,” she said.

-DailySun