CAPE TOWN – The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) says the suspension of four officials from the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) has nothing to do with last week’s illegal strike in Cape Town.
Dozens of Metrorail workers affiliated to the union downed tools last Thursday despite a court interdict against the industrial action declaring it illegal.
The rail agency has issued letters of suspension to certain executive members after they failed to respond to disciplinary action for their involvement in an unlawful march last month.
Metrorail’s Riana Scott says, “The group of about 18 employees deserted their posts on 22 March and these employees have been given explanation forms. Four of those, the regional executive members of Satawu, failed to respond and were issued with letters of suspension in line with Prasa’s disciplinary process.”
Satawu’s Luntu Sokutu has however slammed Prasa.
“That is utter provocation on their part. They were supposed to wait for 20 April, which is the date that we were supposed to appear and our case be heard. They have not done that.”
(Edited by Tamsin Wort)