17 July 2026

The ANC Caucus Parliamentary Study Group on Transport welcomes the successful intervention by the Minister of Transport, Ms Barbara Creecy, which has helped save nearly 400 jobs at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

We also acknowledge the constructive role played by the PRASA Task Team, management and organised labour in reaching this outcome.

At a time when South Africa continues to face high unemployment and difficult economic conditions, the initial proposal to retrench more than 600 workers would have had devastating consequences for employees, their families and the communities that depend on them.

The reduction in the number of planned job losses demonstrates what can be achieved through responsible leadership, meaningful engagement and a commitment to finding practical solutions to complex challenges facing our state-owned entities.

The ANC Study Group commends Minister Creecy for bringing all parties together and ensuring that every possible alternative to large-scale retrenchments was explored.

This outcome reflects government’s commitment to balancing PRASA’s long-term financial sustainability with the responsibility to protect jobs and livelihoods. We also commend organised labour for its constructive participation and its commitment to defending the interests of workers throughout the process.

While we welcome the preservation of almost 400 jobs, we remain mindful that some employees may still be affected by the restructuring process. We therefore encourage PRASA to continue engaging with organised labour and other stakeholders to explore every available option to minimise further job losses and provide appropriate support to affected workers.

The ANC Caucus Parliamentary Study Group remains committed to supporting the ongoing revitalisation of PRASA into a safe, reliable, efficient and financially sustainable public rail service. A modern and well-functioning rail system is essential to economic growth, job creation and providing affordable public transport for millions of South Africans.

As the ANC Study Group on Transport in Parliament, we will continue to exercise robust oversight to ensure that PRASA’s  restructuring process is implemented in a transparent, fair and accountable manner, while remaining aligned with government’s broader developmental objectives.

Issued by the Whip of the African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Transport, Cde C.N. Malematja

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