Confirmed: Prasa and Shosholoza Meyl’s long-distance trains return after a year

Prasa and Shosholoza Meyl’s long-distance trains are available again after a year’s absence, this is sweet news if you hated public transport like buses, taxis, or airplanes.

Prasa made the glorious announcement on Tuesday.

PRASA’S SHOSHOLOZA MEYL LONG-DISTANCE TRAINS ARE BACK ON TRACK

As confirmed via a press statement ahead of the festive service rush, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA’s (Prasa) said its long-distance passenger trains will kick off operations as of Wednesday, December 15 – which is nearly a year since the last service.

The long-distance trains were forced to suspend services in January 2021, thanks to Covid-19 and extreme vandalism on many essential routes. Some of the major damages included theft of overhead electric power cables and essential station equipment.

PRASA FIRES CEO MATTHEWS

In other recent Prasa news, the entity’s board has announced Matthews has been fired, effective immediately.

PRASA had placed Matthews on suspension for failing to disclose the fact that he holds British citizenship. At the time, the rail agency said the news came as a shock and that after going through a declaration form signed by Matthews back in May, it was evident that he deliberately concealed this fact.

“The Board of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) at its meeting of the 29 November 2021, unanimously resolved to terminate with immediate effect the employment contract of its GCEO, Mr Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews. This is in line with a provision in clause 11 of his employment contract. This followed an investigation by seasoned senior counsel that established whether Mr Matthews deliberately and intentionally failed to disclose material information to PRASA in respect of his dual citizenship,” said Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda.