Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape says it is “deeply concerned” about the passenger train derailment, near Paarl, that left 25 persons injured.
The passenger train belonging to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) was en route to Cape Town Station from the Wellington Station, when the incident happened on Tuesday night.
The train came off the tracks at the Dal Josafat Station, near Paarl.
There were no fatalities reported on the scene.
Emergency services, including paramedics, firefighters, and the SA Police Service officer attended the scene.
The injured passengers were taken to various hospitals in the area.
Early Wednesday morning the DA MPs – spokesperson on Transport Dr. Chris Hunsinger and deputy spokesperson Thamsanqa Mabhena – visited the crash site.
The MPs received a briefing from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Regional Manager and the Rail Incident Commander from Transnet.
“As much as we are saddened about the incident, we are comforted that no fatalities were reported and that of the 25 injuries only a few are seriously injured and are being treated at three hospitals,” the MPs said in a joint statement after the visit to the derailment scene.
“We would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to emergency services for their rapid response and ensuring that no lives were lost.
“We also commend teams from both PRASA, Transnet and Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) for working throughout the night to recover the scene.
“‘Although no preliminary report has been made available, and no conclusive evidence exists on what may have caused the derailment, we reiterate our informed position that South Africa’s rail network is currently facing significant challenges, particularly in terms of outdated signalling infrastructure.”
The MPs said the need to modernise and overhaul the manual rail signalling systems was quite urgent.
“Manual signalling systems are not only inefficient but also pose serious safety risks, contributing to delays, miscommunications, and potential accidents,” the statement said.
“The DA further calls on both Transnet and PRASA to do everything in their power to recover the Cape Town Wellington rail line.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and her deputy Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed “well wishes and speedy recovery” for the 25 hospitalised passengers.
They have also expressed their well-wishes to all the passengers and train crew who experienced this trauma.
“The Rail Safety Regulator, together with law enforcement agencies, is currently conducting a preliminary investigation regarding this derailment and has indicated that a preliminary report will be ready in the next 48 hours,” the Department of Transport said.
“Both Creecy and Hlengwa have urged the Railway Safety Regulator to fast-track their investigation to determine the root cause of this derailment.
“They have also highlighted the fact that safety of passengers across the transport system is the number one priority in the work of the Department and its entities.”
