Vandalism costs Prasa R1bn in two years, says Mbalula
The Department of Transport estimates that at least R1 billion has been lost by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) due to vandalism and public disorder.
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula revealed the staggering figure at Prasa's Braamfontein depot on Wednesday.
The minister was briefed on the circumstances that led to the blaze that engulfed a passenger train in December.
Mbalula says the state-owned enterprise has been dealt many blows.
PRASA BRAAMFONTEIN STAGING YARD
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) January 15, 2020
Trains were burned down here in Johannesburg - we must account for this and arrest those who are responsible.
They burn the trains so they can steal copper cables #FixingTransport pic.twitter.com/03wrv9vbHk
"Overcrowded trains, ageing infrastructure, old rolling stock, rampant crime, poor internal controls and other ills are the order of the day.
"In over 2 years, almost R1 billion has been lost due to either train burnings, vandalism of power stations, public disorder, train collisions or floods. These costs peaked in 2019 at R364 million."
He admits that mismanagement and a lack of governance have put Prasa in a difficult position.
"Despite this, the downward spiral of Prasa was self-inflicted as a result of poor and indecisive leadership which allowed a culture of impunity to prevail."
Last month Mbalula dissolved the the ailing railway agency's interim board placing it under administration.
Bongisizwe Mpondo has been appointed as the administrator until a new board has been established.
