The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday condemned a suspected act of sabotage by striking Transnet workers that caused a train derailment in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We call on the police to leave no stone unturned in tracking down, arresting and charging anyone behind this despicable act of sabotage, which not only negatively affects the transportation of goods, but is geared to destroy our economy,” spokesperson Brian Sokutu said in a statement.
Two locomotives and five wagons went off the tracks and 10 000 litres of diesel were spilt at 3.30am on Wednesday morning at Burlington near Mount Vernon in KwaZulu-Natal. The Natal main line was closed to allow for clearing up operations, the Railway Safety Regulator said.
Preliminary indications suggested the track had been tampered with.
The derailment happened as workers’ unions continued striking on Wednesday, with the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) joining the South African Trade and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), whose members had been striking since Monday.
Both unions rejected a Transnet wage increase of 11%, demanding 15%.
“Bargaining by workers for higher wages as seen at Transnet is a legitimate and legal process allowed in any industry, but it does not give anybody a right to engage in any acts of sabotage,” said Sokutu. — Sapa