PRASA Announces The Termination Of Mr. Zolani Matthews’ Services

The Board of Control (BOC) of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced the immediate termination of Mr. Zolani Matthews’ employment. PRASA Board Chairperson, Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo, stated that the termination was in line with Mr. Matthews’ contract and was necessary for PRASA to remain focused on reopening rail corridors and refurbishing stations.

PRASA has made significant progress, with 31 out of 40 rail corridors reopened and operating at limited capacity. The Board emphasized that distractions must be avoided to maintain focus on PRASA’s core mandate of safely and cost-effectively transporting commuters. The Board initially sought an amicable resolution, but negotiations with Mr. Matthews failed, leading to the termination of his contract under clause 11.2. Mr. Matthews will be compensated for the remainder of his contract.

PRASA reinstated Mr. Matthews following a Labour Court ruling on 1 July 2024 and provided backdated remuneration as per the judgment. However, efforts to reach a settlement were unsuccessful, and a settlement is no longer considered viable.

PRASA’s Chairperson highlighted that the agency is making steady progress in recovering South Africa’s passenger rail services. This includes improvements in safety, security, project implementation, capital programs, and modernization projects. The Board remains confident in the leadership of GCEO Hishaam Emeran and the management team to achieve PRASA’s strategic goals and tackle ongoing challenges.