23 Jan 2020

Chairman of the board of enquiry into the derailment of BR passenger train 0501 has expressed concern that the idea of "hot spots" cluttered employees’ line of thought prior to the accident.

Mr Olefile Moakofi was reacting to BR gang leader Mr Leano Koomantswe’s testimony before the board on January 22.

Wondering why the team decided to go to Bonwapitse and focused on the water level at kilometric perk 463.5 instead of 464, he said as early as 6:38 am, train 402 crew reported danger of a possible wash away at kilometric perk 464, where the accident occurred, due to the level of water there.

"The crew reported with great passion and concern, worried about the danger they saw specifically at kilometric perk 464," he said.

Because the system had identified Bonwapitse as a hotspot, he said, “everyone is thinking of Bonwapitse and disregarding the vital report by crew of train 402”.

"The very report of train 402 is why we are here, not your normal hot spots. You see why traditions can clutter our minds and our professionalism, such that we end up with loss of lives," he lamented.

In his testimony, Mr Koomantswe said following the report of a possible wash away at kilometric perk 464 on December 9, he was assigned to go and inspect the condition of the line.Mr Koomantswe said the inspection was done around 06:40 am by a team of four track workers who accompanied him.

The track workers, he said,  physically inspected the line traversing from kilometric perk 462 to kilometric perk 464.

On completing the inspection, the team informed him that the water level was high and sipping through the ballast, said Mr Koomantswe.

The matter was reported to superiors including acting civil engineer Mr Thupana who advised that a second inspection be done later.He said the second inspection carried out later that day showed that the water level had subsided.

After noticing that the water level had gone down at kilometric perk 463.5, Mr Koomantswe said, “we went to Bonwapitse to go and inspect there also because it is one of our hot spots as it previously had a wash away. The point that was reported is not one of our hot spots.”

Along the way, Mr Koomantswe said the truck they were travelling in had a breakdown while the rescue vehicle also got stuck in the mud.He said they only got help between midnight and 1:00 am.

During the seven-hour wait for transport, they did not carry on inspecting the line nor did they update superiors because he was frustrated and worried about when they would be rescued.

Once transport arrived, he said, they went straight home to sleep.

Another witness, BR track master, Mr Kealeboga Makola, said he was away on leave during the time of the accident and that Mr Koomantswe acted in his absence.

However, Mr Makola said Mr Koomantswe was not capable of discharging the functions of a track master as he lacked the necessary qualifications.

“I just applied for leave and went. Usually, my bosses or supervisors are the ones who appoint someone to either act or relieve. I only read on the e-mail that Mr Koomantswe was acting in the position,” he said.

The accident occurred on December 9, 2019 killing two BR employees while 400 passengers were safely evacuated.

To improve safety at BR and prevent occurrence of similar accidents, Transport and Communications minister, Mr Thulagano Segokgo instituted an eight-member board to investigate circumstances surrounding the accident.ENDS