Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga visits Prasa to launch Nyanga to Cape Town central line

At the beginning of this month, the new minister of transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunda attended the launch of the central line from the Nyanga to Langa Commuter Rail Service at the Langa Station. 

The minister was there to assess the work done by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, to recover lost rail infrastructure and stations on the central line.

The commuter rail service was closed for more than three years due to the vandalism of public assets and the illegal occupation of the line during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“Restoring passenger rail service in the country is a key priority that will put us back on a path towards the realization of our long-term objective of positioning passenger rail as the backbone of our public transport system,” she said in her speech. 

The minister also noted that there was still much work to be done, such as the removal of illegal dwellers on the lines. 

“The relocation process requires an intergovernmental approach that involved all spheres of government, with various committees put in place to ensure the relocation process runs smoothly.  A social compact was signed between all the three spheres of government involved and the affected communities,” she said. 

Done by: Thaakiera Ackerdien