Prasa not doing what it’s supposed to - Mbalula
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says on top of its cash-flow problems, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) is also underspending.
The Prasa board recently suspended the CEO Zolani Mathews, who was appointed early this year.
“Prasa continues to grapple with capacity challenges which manifests in its inability to accelerate spending on its capital program,” Mbalula said.
He briefed the media on entities under his portfolio in Sandton on Friday.
The rail agency has spent 32% of its budget capital to date - which amounts to R62.2 billion.
“Prasa is not doing what it’s supposed to do, people aren’t paid on time. I’ve got lots and lots of complaints. People who got contracts, rendered services at Prasa and are not paid. How will you sustain a company in the rail sector that doesn’t pay you? These are challenges we need to address,” said Mbalula
He said delays in finalising upgrades in the central Cape Town line will have an effect on the planned return-to-service of commuter rail.
“The procurement process for the general overhaul program aimed at maintaining the current trains will help stimulate jobs and which will assist with a quicker turn around times in returning damages couches to service.”
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