Broadcast DetailsShow: Special Assignment VIIIEpisode Title: End Of The Line
Date: Tuesday, 15 August, 2006
Time: 21h30
Channel: SABC 3
---------------------------------------------------
Everyday 6 to 7 million people travel on Metrorail. It is a vital mode of transport for the poor, yet the trains they board are unsafe and unreliable.
The Metrorail system is virtually collapsing in many areas because of government’s ongoing under-funding of the service. It means that passengers risk death and injury simply getting to work.
Recently, the country was shocked by the brutal murder of over 20 people, who were thrown off moving Metrorail trains. Allegedly they were security guards killed for failing to support the SATAWU strike. This turned a spotlight on the many ordinary people who have been killed while travelling on Metrorail, or who were maimed and disabled after falling off trains simply because the doors didn’t close.
Five years ago twenty year old Juan van Minnen was stabbed to death on his way home to Fishoek, Cape Town. At the time, there was no security at the station or on the train. The loss of his son spurred Les van Minnen to form the Rail Commuter Action Group.
This group of angry commuters from the Western Cape took Metrorail to court, trying to force it to take responsibility for its passengers. They went all the way to the Constitutional Court which in 2004, ruled that Metrorail is responsible for commuter safety and security.
Everyone believed that Metrorail would act in good faith and that people would start to see improvements to the system but the ruling hasn’t brought any of the changes the Action Group hoped for.
Instead Metrorail has instituted court case after court case, seemingly to evade its responsibilities. The situation on trains and at stations now is much the same as it was years ago - if not worse. Signals frequently don’t work, trains take off with doors open, passengers cling to the outside of coaches.
As we gear up for the 2010 World Cup, we question whether Metrorail will be able to cope.
End of the Line is produced by Sasha Wales-Smith with camerawork by Shamiel Albertyn and Jan de Klerk.