FILE PHOTO: A Transnet Freight Rail train is seen next to tons of coal mined from the nearby Khanye Colliery mine, at the Bronkhorstspruit station, in Bronkhorstspruit, around 90 kilometres north-east of Johannesburg, South Africa, April 26, 2022.
Small business traders say prohibiting them from selling their goods inside the trains kills their livelihoods.This led to extensive vandalism of rail infrastructure and cable theft. Now, with the return of train services, traders say they’re left out. “I’m a trader and I have been selling inside the train from Pienaarsport for 28 years. Now they are not allowing that. And we have children and families to look after, “says Rakau.
Chairperson of the Rail Traders Association Paul Mohale says he believes the government must intervene in their plight.