Prasa retrenchments spark union fury as Creecy’s task team moves to save jobs
The two largest unions at Prasa - reacted with fury after the rail operator announced plans to retrench workers.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) faced union outrage over its plan to retrench 508 workers due to financial and operational challenges in its long-distance passenger services. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy appointed a Section 189 Ministerial Task Team in June 2026 to explore alternatives to mass layoffs. The task team, composed of the Department of Transport, organized labor, and Prasa management, has already made progress.
Three hundred and forty-three employees opted for early retirement by early August 2026, 102 were placed into vacant positions within Prasa, and 208 Protection Services staff were temporarily preserved pending discussions with Transnet. Prasa has initiated a consultation process with Unions Unita and Satawu, set to extend until the end of August 2026, to find solutions for the remaining 227 staff members.
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