Deputy Speaker, the ANC shares the sadness and concern over the recent brutal and shocking incident where a female Transnet freight train driver, Miss Nare Mashamaite, was strangled to death while she was inspecting a possible mechanical problem on a train outside Makhado Station, in Limpopo.
Her assistant driver, who also joined her in inspecting the train, but was on the other side, heard her screams and then fled the scene and called the police, who later found the driver's body lying next to the train.
The Railway Safety Regulator indicated that it would be investigating the incident, and urged all operators to provide sufficient security for their staff, in line with the risk assessment profiles. The ANC urges the SA Police Service to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrator of this heinous crime to book. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and children of the late Miss Mashamaite. A mowa wa gagwe o robale ka kudu. [May her soul rest in peace.] Thank you. [Applause.]