Question to the Minister of Transport - NW641

22 March 2018 - NW641

America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)Whether his department (a) received and/or (b) investigated allegations related to intimidation by staff and/or security members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) (i) in each of the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017; if so, what (aa) are the relevant details and (bb) remedial actions have been instituted against individuals or companies; (2) whether Prasa employs security staff who have criminal records in the provinces; if so, what (a) are the relevant details in each case and (b) are the specified persons not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority; (3) what was the total number of (a) SA Police Service and (b) private security company members who were employed to secure Metrorail operations in each of the past five financial years and since 1 April 2017 in each province?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. (a) PRASA received a complaint from Mr Zackie Achmat on 23 February 2018, regarding a complaint of violence and threats against #UnitedBehind,

(b) PRASA Security is currently investigating the complaints and will take remedial action when concluded,

(i) & (ii) the case of Mr Achmat is the only case that have been brought to the attention of the department since 1 April 2017,

(aa) the case relates to violence and threats against #UnitedBehind,

(bb) the department does not condone any individual who is implicated in any form of misconduct.

2. (a) Regrettably some security officials were employed as part of a recruitment drive to phase in a larger complement of internal security personnel with the intention to phase out contracted security over a period of time. Some of the members were recruited from the SANDF, Military Veterans and from private security companies. PRASA Security already started a vetting process in 2016 after the matter of criminal records was reported. The recruitment was however done prior to the vetting and screening of staff being intensified by PRASA Security. It is not PRASA’s prerogative to divulge the information on the individuals’ details relating to the criminal records.

(b) These members are not PSIRA registered and alternative placement is being sought for them.

3. (a) PRASA Security is not mandated to divulge any information relating to the SAPS.

(b) The Metrorail private security personnel complements for the past five financial years are as follows: see the link

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW641Table.pdf