Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in the Western Cape has appealed to its employees to compromise and work without expecting payment in order to save the organisation from collapsing.
According to reports Prasa Western Cape’s acting regional manager, Raymond Maseko told workers through an internal communication on Thursday that the company was facing financial challenges.
“I appeal to all of you to go beyond the extra mile – it means a willingness to do not only your own work but to assist with revenue collection or to work longer hours without expecting payment or time in return. The time has come for every employee to pledge all for us to stand united against a common enemy of depleted coffers – it is up to us to help save the organisation,” he said.
Maseko said Prasa was working on solving the salary payment postponement.
He also announced that the entire network of passenger trains in the Western Cape had been suspended after Eskom had cut power supply.
It’s reported that Eskom made a decision in reaction to Prasa’s failure to pay electricity bills.
“We are doing our utmost to resolve these issues as soon as possible, with full knowledge of the devastating impact on our employees and customers,” Maseko said.
The passenger rail agency Prasa reportedly submitted proof of payment of arrears to the power utility and apologised to commuters for the disruption of train services. It is understood that Prasa allegedly owes Eskom R250 million.
According to Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott, apart from the Northern line, it’s business as usual for the train service in the province after Eskom had cut the power to its operations temporarily on Thursday.
