Question NW206 to the Minister of Transport
08 March 2022 - NW206
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, in light of the recent reports that material from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa was found being melted and processed at a scrap yard in Johannesburg around 31 January 2022, his department has conducted an investigation in this regard; if not, why not; if so (a) who has been held responsible and (b) what total amount in damages has been recorded?
Reply:
a) PRASA, is currently running multiple investigations into scrap metal theft, and together with law enforcement agencies, is running multi-disciplinary operations in the pursuit of combatting crime (with investigation continuing to close down on syndicates).
On 31 January 2022, the Minister of Transport, joined PRASA’s ongoing operations, where there were multiple incidents and raids conducted that resulted in arrests.
To date there has already been 1 500 arrests due to these operations with many receiving lengthy prison sentences.
b) Damages, over the period from the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 to date, is in excess of R1,2 billion.