“The more trains that are burnt and vandalised, the less we can operate."
More correct would be "The more procrastination there is in ordering new trains, the less we can operate." More than 20 years after electing a democratic government we are still running suburban railway stock built in the 1960s. Train sets were not built to last so long. Government could buy quickly new frigates, new submarines, new fighter jets and new helicopters in the arms deal. The government's slogan was 'The People First' (Batho Pele). Most South Africans do not own a car and rely on public transport. Sadly, Batho Pele did not extend to suburban railway commuters. This is tragic.