South Africa: President Ramaphosa Gets Stuck In Public Train for Hours

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is known to boast of his government’s public service delivery, will with no doubt have a rethink the next time he chooses to raise the topic after his experience today when he boarded a public train.

The president had a bitter taste of the public service after he boarded a train from Soshanguve to the capital Pretoria where he was supposed to meet with other top officials of the ruling African National Congress, ANC. Before take-off, an ‘unexpected’ glitch occurred and the metro train he boarded failed to take off until after a two-hour delay.

The exact reason for the over two-hour delay remained unclear but it forced the president to bemoan its effect on the routine of commuters and productivity.

Speaking of his experience, the president who was in the train in the company of other ANC officials, his personal security and Premier of the Gauteng Province said:

“We are going to take steps to change this situation because our people deserve the best.

“The way people are transported is not ideal, this not how we want to see working people being transported, some of them are students and some of them are job seekers. You just really destroy their enthusiasm about getting into a public transportation system like this.

“I am glad that I came and I have seen for myself. We are going to take steps to change the situation.”

The delay caused a little commotion as daily commuters were eager to catch a glimpse and if possible, chit-chat with the number one citizen of the country.

Speaking to the people, the president promised to intervene in the issue through the office of the Transport Minister.

President Cyril Ramaphosa who was dressed in his party’s campaign attire, interacted with commuters at the station as he prepared to board the metro, and continued while on board as he stuck his head out of the window to speak with citizens.

After the train moved, it was gathered that the president received a call from the head of the rails apologizing for the delay and inconvenience.

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Header Image Credit: eNCA