Female train driver strangled at railway station
Transnet Freight Rail was warned of dangers
IN THE LINE OF DUTY: Nare Mashamaite's brother Duke Mashamaite, left, and family members in front of the train she was supposed to drive to Polokwane from Makhado Monday morning. The train never left the station as Nare was murdered before departure. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANAA GOODS train driver was strangled in a horror ambush at Makhado (formerly Louis Trichardt) train station at about 3am Monday.
Nare Mashamaite was with her assistant driver when the incident happened.
The two were about to leave the station in a train destined for Polokwane, Limpopo.
While in the driving seat of the stationary train, the women heard a strange noise and thought the train had a mechanical problem.
The two went out to inspect the source of the noise, with one on each side of the train.
A man suddenly emerged from the bushes and grabbed Mashamaite, 48, dragging her away. Hearing Mashamaite and the stranger grappling with each other, the assistant fled.
She called the police, who later found Mashamaite's body lying next to the train.
Police said they were investigating circumstances that might have led to the killing. They said she might have been raped before she was strangled.
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said investigations were continuing and that no arrests had been made yet.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased said they were shocked to hear of her death.
Duke Mashamaite, the deceased's brother, said he was shocked and angry.
According to employees of Transnet Freight Rail in Limpopo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, security concerns had been raised with management several times but were ignored.
They claimed the same assistant who fled after Mashamaite was attacked was raped in 2009 and that management did not do anything to protect its employees.
Mike Asefovitz, spokesman for Transnet Freight Rail, said it was a tragic incident and the safety of their employees had always been and would always be a top priority.
Asefovitz said Transnet's management had met with the family to convey their condolences and would be providing counselling for traumatised staff.
He said he was not aware of allegations that there were safety issues raised by employees in the past but offered to investigate.
- The police are requesting anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Monica Nemavhola, on 082-451-7154 or Crime Stop on 08600-10111.
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Comments
Bumboklaat
Jeeeez! Another life unnecessarily taken! Someone who contributed to the economy and was a mother, sister, w!fe! what the h3ll is wrong with these people?Report Abuse
MissBhakajuju
i wonder if sa women will ever be free, blaady f@%k minqundu, who think with their d.i.r.t.y d!cks.RIP Mama.
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dimpho_4U
motive??Report Abuse
Mygirl
May his soul rest in peace..... Transnet must do something abt security especialy to female drivers bathong...!Report Abuse
cherichoc1
Why does management always have to act suprised to these incidents. I mean these are for seeable contingencies that they should try to prevent at all costReport Abuse
dimpho_4U
Transnet should implement safety precautions for their female workers,especially those who work night shifts______otherwise ke mathata feela moo i.eReport Abuse
Knan
The monster who did this deserves to be rap3d in prisonR.I.P mama, sorry
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B4LES
In 2009 assistant reported raped, nothing done. The management had to wait until death is evident! What the f@#$k. A person,s siter, daughter, mother and cousin is dead, and so an active someone in the ecomony. Jesus, this populist demagogues!Report Abuse
SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla
PeopleLet us teach our young boys
FROM A YOUNG AGE
to be respoonsible younge men.
do not neglect your kids
teach them school work
if it fails teach them sports
if that fails take them to church with you
if that fails teach them music
let them join scouts
lets stop drinking ourselves to death
for when we are dead-drunk we cant coach our boys
let them admire us
is than not at least 20 percent of the solution to this abuse
wena ndoda
uluzile mbulali ndini
YOU KILLED A BRAVE WOMAN
who exemplified our current democracy
equality
women empowerment
by showing she can do the job
and you failed this whole country
in this sterling work with women empowerment
i curse you with contempt
rosaries out please, for the victim and the family
your spirit will live forever
in this progressive country
god loves your family
we love you too
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Dominic
And what was the motive of her killing? Did they took soe important freight from the goods train?Report Abuse
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