Strike paralyses trains
2003-10-14 21:58
Johannesburg - A strike by Metrorail employees left 300 000 train commuters stranded in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Metrorail chief executive officer Honey Mateya said passengers who attacked train personnel and security guards should take responsibility for the disruption of peak hour railways services.
Metrorail trains ceased operating on the lines from Johannesburg to Soweto, Johannesburg to Vereeniging and Johannesburg to Krugersdorp after a protest by employees who refused to work under violent conditions.
Two drivers were seriously assaulted and a train was set alight at Braamfontein Station last week. Angry commuters assaulted another three train drivers at the same station on Monday.
Mateya said: "A small number of commuters who resorted to violently attacking train drivers and security guards must be blamed for the disruption of train services."
He urged commuters to use other modes of transport while its management, police and the unions were locked in negotiations to try to resolve the matter.
The unions involved in negotiations are the United Transport and Allied Trade Union, United Association of South Africa and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union.
Meanwhile, police were deployed at various stations to prevent further violence as commuters were frustrated by the "violent actions of a small number of passengers that have caused them to be left without transport to return home.
"Train drivers and conductors are not prepared to continue to put their lives at stake. If trains are late, commuters become frustrated and attack employees. This is unacceptable."
Earlier on Tuesday, Metrorail appealed to train passengers not to hurt their personnel and damage property when angry at the delay of trains.
"These delays are being caused by circumstances beyond our control," said Mateya.
He said trains were delayed possibly as a result of cable theft, power failures, suicides on railway lines and accidents.
"I appeal to commuters to refrain from venting their anger against train drivers and other employees and urge them to work closely with Metrorail to find solutions to... the problems."
- SAPA