Metrorail power cut ‘unprecedented’, says Mbalula
Updated | By Jacaranda FM News
Power has been restored to all Metrorail train stations in the Western Cape after Eskom earlier on Thursday terminated supply due to outstanding debt.
More than 289 000 commuters were affected after power to the Khayelitsha, Eerste Rivier, Tafelbaai and Strand stations were cut.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) paid the electricity bill of R4 million at the eleventh hour after Eskom gave officials at the ailing state-owned entity 34 days to settle it.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula briefed the media on Thursday evening after the lights were switched back on.
“This is despite the fact that other regions have not been subjected to a similar treatment. Of equal concern is the fact that Eskom had declared Metrorail a priority user and the cut of power is unprecedented,” he told reporters at Cape Town’s main train station.
He says Prasa has about R18 billion in its bank account for modernisation and some of the monies will be transferred to its operational budget.
ALSO READ: Eskom halts Metrorail train services in WC over payments
Mbalula says the planned reviewed financial model isn’t one “that seeks to borrow money from somewhere”.
“Was this a surprise a shocker and all of that? It is not. We have been raising this issue and submitted our detailed plan of the financial model and turning Prasa around.”
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