[imagesource: Twitter / @mtyala]

South Africa’s railway system is falling apart, thanks in large part to years of criminal incompetence from the bigwigs at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

Fear not, because Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has promised us he’s on top of things and R7,5 billion has been earmarked to fix trains and carry out internal investigations into those responsible for years and years of dodgy tenders.

One of the few things more frightening than Mbalula’s ability to be shunted from department to department, leaving a mess in his wake, is the news that a group of gangsters on the Cape Flats have been making death threats against workers employed to fix the railway line in Bonteheuwel and Bishop Lavis.

EWN reports:

Monday’s work had to be postponed, as employees left the site fearing for their lives. The critical central corridor is not fully reopened yet, while the City of Cape Town carries out its own study to possibly take over rail services in the metro.

Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus McKenzie raised the alarm on the attempted extortion racket.

Footage shared on social media today shows two men making threats:

Gangsters in Bonteheuwel (Netreg station in the video) have been demanding “protection fees” from Prasa’s subcontractors who are working to restore service to the Central Line. pic.twitter.com/V7lFU34uCq

— Quinton Mtyala (@mtyala) August 31, 2022

That is genuinely terrifying.

McKenzie told EWN that operations have been halted today “for the safety of the workers and residents”:

“The step was taken not to appease gangsters and extortionists but to ensure those staff members are safe. A detailed updated security plan will be put in place. This plan will be agreed upon by all including, SAPS, and work will restart later this week,” McKenzie said.

We really do live in a mafia state.

As these gangsters have proven time and time again, they have no regard for human life and virtually no fear of law enforcement.

[sources:ewn&ewn]