SATAWU reaction to PRASA (METRORAIL) allegations

1 March 2012

The South Africa Transport & Allied Workers Union strongly condemns PRASA who this morning 1 March 2012, maliciously accused SATAWU and its members of being responsible for the torching of 6 trains last night (see report).

We are against any kind of wrong doing and criminal activities as a union. We publicly call on the SAPS to investigate the matter and take appropriate actions against the perpetrators.

"We have observed in the past, that the torching of the trains were carried out by criminal elements within the community who take advantage of space created by the strike. We believe this might be the case, as our members have been peacefully protesting outside Umjanji house during the day from Monday" said Nicholus Maziya -Deputy General Secretary

SATAWU nevertheless expresses its outrage at this blatant continued attack on our President by Mr Mosenngwa Mofi of PRASA RAIL , which highlights precisely why the protests were necessary, PRASA has become a haven for some deployed comrades who feel they have become untouched and cannot be subjected to questions regarding the state of the company.

SATAWU goes on record to say " hands off our President!!", he is not alone in the fight against corruption in State-Owned Companies ( SOCs). We call upon the membership of SATAWU to rally around our President and defend the fighting against the "looting of state companies resources by a selected few". We call on our members to display the outmost discipline and restraint, acting contrary would give PRASA the boldness to boost the last kick of a dying horse. Their tactics are in the end self-defeating. The crisis within the company is systemic and deep-rooted.

SATAWU is disgusted - but not surprised by the clearly visible attempt to deter us from focus on the fight against corruption in our State-Owned Companies ( SOCs). While we welcome that 5 suspects have been arrested, SATAWU realises that the rot within will be stopped by them vilifying our President or using allegations against our members as scapegoats.

SATAWU reiterate its demands that an external forensic investigations be commissioned to look into the following issues;

• To probe PRASA's financials for the last five years to date;
• Allegations raised against PRASA GCEO be investigated
• That all implicated Managers who continue to work for PRASA up to this day be suspended

The rife violations of Supply Chain Systems had resulted in depletion of Rolling Stock Materials (Train Sets Components), a situation that compelled PRASA to strip train sets of components so as to fix other trains sets for them to remain in operation.

This disingenuous and obvious attempt to dissuade us, powerfully reinforces our belief that the reluctance displayed by the PRASA board to look into this matter is part of their big cover up.

Statement issued by SATAWU March 1 2012

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