Question NW640 to the Minister of Transport

Reply:

1. Yes there were two finding against PRASA in the Western Cape in 2017/18.

(a) The first finding related to the internal complement of staff and the second related to the Training Centre. PSIRA instituted proceedings in the Western Cape by ways of a summons in terms of the Private Security Regulations Act, No 56 of 2001 against PRASA for alleged improper conduct with 855 counts. The charges are related to outstanding SASETA Certificates required for PSIRA Registrations, non-compliance to requirements for uniforms, criminal records and administrative requirements for the training centre. It must be noted that members recruited from the SANDF are trained professionals but many had not yet been registered through the process of recognition for prior learning;

(b) PRASA was fined the amount of R3,000,000-00 in respect of the charges related to the 855 counts for non-compliance of the complement and R8,000-00 for the Training Centre. All fines were paid on 31 January 2018; and

(c) The remedial actions are ongoing and include the following:

• Sourcing the funding to replace uniform and equipment.
• 96 members with criminal records have in the interim been placed with customer services pending further investigation and record clearance. The criminal records of five members have been cleared in the meantime.
• Members unsuccessful with their application will be dealt with through the relevant legislation.
• There are pending applications for expungement of criminal records as allowed for by PSIRA regulations.
• PRASA Security intensified the vetting screening of security staff. The process will be completed by 30 April 2018.
• A total of 229 members have been retrained and are awaiting their SASETA certificates for registration with PSIRA.
• The training centre deficiency has been corrected.
• PRASA is engaging PSIRA to update our records and to deal with the administrative backlog.

2. (a) (i) A national tender was advertised in 2016 on the National Treasury CSD portal, however the tender was cancelled owing to restructuring and the start of a turnaround process;

(ii) no contracts was awarded

(aa) & (bb) An emergency procurement process was followed following severe damage to the infrastructure and the killing of a security guard in 2017.

(b) Tabulated below are the values for contracts awarded since 1 April 2017.

Company	Type of Service	Total Monthly Value Excl. Vat
Sechaba Security	88 Armed guards to escort train crew	R1,451,691-36
Red Ants	4 Armored Vehicles and 4 crew	R636,419-00
UAV Drone Solutions	Drone Aircrafts	R480,000-00
Combined Private Investigations	Forensic Investigations	R1,363,034-00
Total Per Month Excl. Vat	R3,931,144-36
Total Value Excl. Vat for Six Months	R23,586,866-16

(c) The deliverables for the respective companies are as follows:

• • UAV Drone Solutions for night patrols and location of criminals / syndicates digging and slashing cables.
  • Red Ants for the provisions of two armoured vehicles day and night with a response team of 8 day and 8 night for the protection of technical staff who are called out for repairs of damaged infrastructure as well as escort duties during routine maintenance. This was done due to ongoing attacks of PRASA staff on the Central Line. It was also reported that on occasion criminals boarded the trains to rob passengers.
  • Deployment of 88 Armed Guards provided by Sechaba Security for the protection of train crews and passengers at the turn around points as well as identified high risk stations on the central line.
  • Combined Private Investigations were procured to provide forensic investigation services and improve the rate of successful prosecutions for copper theft from 5% to 80% over the next six months.

(d) The companies are as follow:

• UAV Drone Solutions
• Red Ants
• Sechaba Security
• Combined Private Investigations

(e) There no further information.