A press release from the United National Transport Union (UNTU) revealed that Nonny Tladi (37), who is a member of the union, has been employed by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) since 2012.
In their media release, the union said Tladi broke her left arm and was bruised on her face after the commuters attacked her because they wanted to leave the platform without paying for their train ride on Tuesday morning.
“I am humiliated and I am sore,” she said.
“I fell on my stomach with my left hand underneath me, after a lady started to pull and push me with six men helping her.”
According to the union, Tladi said the incident could have been avoided if better security measures were taken.
“It would not have happened had there been a security guard on duty with me at the access gate,” she said.
“It would also not have happened if there was one of the ‘so called’ rapid rail police officials in sight.”
According to UNTU, Tladi feels that she has been loyal to her employer and dedicated at getting the derailed passenger rail service back on the path to profitability.
But in return, she expects her employer to ensure that she has a safe working environment.
“I am the mother of three minor children, and I want to see them growing up,” she said.
“This is the first time that I have been attacked, but once before I was threatened with a knife.
“It is dangerous to work on the trains; unfortunately, I cannot speak from the grave.”
According to the union, they are taking legal action on a national basis.
Eddie de Klerk, acting general secretary of UNTU, said UNTU has submitted an application to the Western Cape High Court for a court order.
The order will state that Prasa must fulfil their obligation in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Labour Relations Act and our constitution, to improve safety on the notorious Central Line between Cape Town and Langa in the Western Cape.
The Union asked the court to direct Prasa to establish an armed mobile reaction unit whose members would be stationed at Netreg, Mitchells Plain and Chris Hani stations.
UNTU also asked the court to order Prasa to establish a joint task team comprised of the union, other representative unions and the police to develop a long-term strategy for commuter safety in Prasa.
The union requested the application be granted an expedited court date due to the frequency of incidents on the central line, in the rest of the Western Cape, Durban and the surrounding area of KwaZulu-Natal, and in the surrounding areas of Johannesburg in Gauteng.
Prasa could not be reached for comment at the time of publishing.
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