‘Sparra-parra’ rider’s claim dismissed
Those who embark on the dangerous activity of “sparra-parra” on trains must not look to Prasa should they be injured.
|||Pretoria - Commuters who embark on the dangerous activity of “staff riding” or “sparra-parra” on trains must not expect the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to be held responsible for their injuries if something goes wrong.
This became clear in a judgment delivered in the high court in Pretoria, where Judge Bill Prinsloo turned down a R1.5 million damages claim by a 25-year-old Saulsville hostel dweller.
James Mashala was severely injured when he fell next to the tracks at Atteridgeville station as the train pulled off. He blamed Prasa and said the train pulled off before he could get back on.
According to him, the passengers in the “overcrowded train” pushed him out while disembarking. The train guard, on the other hand, said all was well until Mashala started to “staff-ride” (the act of getting onto the train as it pulls out of the station).
Mashala testified that he got on the train at Bosman station in Pretoria at 8pm. It was the last train heading to Saulsville, and according to him, the train was extremely full. He said he had to stand about 1.5m from the door.
At Atteridgeville station, the “last batch” of passengers disembarked so hurriedly that they bumped him off his feet and out of the train. He fell between the train and the platform.
Mashala said he tried to get back onto the train by hanging onto some handles near the doors. The train, according to him, moved and he fell backwards and landed next to the tracks.
The train guard, Pinky Mfeka, however, gave a different account. She said that for 11 years, she went through the same daily routine of checking that passengers got on and off the train. When all are in or out, she blows a whistle and ensures the doors are closed. The driver waits for her “ride away button” to be pressed before taking off.
Mfeka said that as the train left Atteridgeville station, she saw Mashala “staff-riding”. She ordered the driver to stop, but it was too late.
Pretoria News
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