Soweto train crash driver is dismissed
THE driver who smashed into a stationary train in Soweto last week has been fired, the management of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa said
The driver was a second offender following an earlier violation, Prasa said.
"The driver has been dismissed because he had already undergone a previous disciplinary process for reckless driving," Prasa group chief executive officer Lucky Montana said.
The agency also found that the driver had ignored two warning signals and was travelling at 85km/h in a 30km/h zone.
The train rammed into a stationary train last Thursday between Mzimhlophe and Phomolong stations, resulting in 644 passengers being injured.
Montana revealed at a press conference at Park Station in Johannesburg that all train accidents in the past 12 months countrywide were as a result of drivers violating rules. A total of 19 drivers are currently facing disciplinary hearings for offences ranging from speeding to ignoring danger signals.
"These acts are viewed in a serious light and swift action will be taken against those found guilty," Montana said.
He said all drivers who had violated safety rules in the past three to six months would be withdrawn from the service and undergo refresher training courses. Retired drivers would be recruited as refresher course mentors.
Prasa said it had set aside R20million to assist the victims of the two recent train crashes, one in Mabopane last month and in Soweto last week.
"The assistance will be over and above the payment of hospital bills and will be aimed only at provable train accidents."
Montana said Prasa was setting up walk-in offices for accident victims at Johannesburg Station and Orlando Station in Soweto, while the Pretoria Station office was already open.
The Rail Safety Regulator is doing its own investigation into the accidents.
Montana said Prasa would introduce a commuter insurance cover in November for all valid train ticket holders injured or killed in train accidents.
Tshele
excatly what i thought...but its sad now to loose your job..i really feel sorry for him and his family....i know people got hurt but still hle...anyway le yena o ne a sa utlwa...ne se ba mo beile bumpara...Report Abuse
thambzo
ya right! i dont believe them, how could you ignore two warning signals as you know how dadly is that thing. mybe their signals were not propely working. on top of that they said RSR is doing its own investigation, that shows that RSR is not convinced of their findings.Report Abuse
Malasba
when you hire a former taxi driver what do you expect..umageza phela lo..Report Abuse
Thandile
Viva Affirmative action. Viva Viva. Rather go for color than skills . LOL!!!Report Abuse
cobol
... and where were the traffic officers, i think in the future they should take some of the road traffic officers and put them on the rail tracks to guard these kind of offenders(speed traps). im sure this guy has a load of traffic fines (beating robots).Report Abuse
navara
I use the train everyday to get to work.I'm scared of it this days but i have no choice as it's cheap to travel with. I think they must improve their signals to be visible.I saw other signals are so old and are invisible.Report Abuse
spaceboi
644 injured and the person responcible gets the sack. Hmmmm, I smell injustice!Report Abuse
shabi_shabisto
I suspect fatigue because Train driver force themselves to work overtime to cover their luxury lifestyles, They complain like hell if they don't get overtimeReport Abuse