”Train surfing” by youngsters is an abhorrent and totally disturbing activity, Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe said on Wednesday.
He was referring to the dangerous game of climbing on the roofs of moving railway carriages, or climbing in and out of trains while in motion.
Radebe was addressing reporters at the launch of the railway safety regulatory inspection body in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
”While watching [the] South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Special Assignment programme on Tuesday night, I was totally horrified on seeing young people doing that on trains without law-enforcement agencies doing a thing.”
He said about 5 000 railway police would be appointed next year to help curb problems such as train surfing, and oversee the general safety of commuters.
A newly appointed group of mechanical and civil engineers would inspect trains and railway infrastructure to help curb accidents.
The group, which operates under the railway safety regulator (RSR), is tasked with overseeing safety in the railway transport industry.
It will monitor safety performance and ensure compliance with the regulatory framework laid down by the RSR.
It will also investigate accidents and then make recommendations to regulators.
Recommendations made would be checked later to ensure that they have been implemented.
”In this regard, the inspectorate is vested with powers to conduct inspections, safety audits and occurrence investigations … which they have started doing since March this year,” Radebe said.
He said the inspectorate was a way to spur railway operators to tighten their safety management.
So far, the RSR has found that South Africa’s railway infrastructure was in an ”unacceptable” state of repair, with outdated technology still in use.
”Indeed, the reflections of the RSR are instructive and a grim reminder of the task that still lies ahead of us. Of particular concern are the unacceptably high costs associated with accidents and the high levels of safety risks to passengers.”
Radebe said the launch of the safety inspectorate was important in creating a safe commuter environment.
For Wynhard Burger (62), a retired civil engineer who was called back to join the safety inspectors, the move has been very rewarding.
”I retired five years back but when called back I was fascinated with the second chance given to part knowledge with young engineers.”
He said the team of engineers had made progress since March, creating awareness among rail operators who often overlook safety measures.
”Most operators have safety measures in place, but sometimes they are not really implemented, that is what we will be doing … ensuring that they adhere to all safety measures.”
There are more than 200 licensed rail operators including Metrorail, Spoornet, Iscor, Sasol, Eskom and municipalities. — Sapa