PRASA Swears In 400 New Peace Officers to Strengthen Rail Security in South Africa

The ceremony, held at Esselen Park, Johannesburg, marks a milestone in PRASA’s ongoing effort to restore, secure, and modernize South Africa’s passenger rail network.

In a decisive step toward enhancing commuter safety and protecting critical transport infrastructure, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has officially sworn in 400 new Peace Officers, significantly expanding its in-house law enforcement capacity. The ceremony, held at Esselen Park, Johannesburg, marks a milestone in PRASA’s ongoing effort to restore, secure, and modernize South Africa’s passenger rail network.

With this induction, the total number of PRASA Peace Officers rises to 686, empowering the agency to intensify its campaign against the theft, vandalism, and sabotage of rail infrastructure while ensuring the safety and confidence of millions of daily commuters.

A Step Toward Safer and More Reliable Rail Services

The officers were sworn in under Section 334 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which grants them powers comparable to those of the South African Police Service (SAPS) when performing their duties. This includes the authority to arrest suspects without a warrant, issue written notices and summonses, execute warrants of arrest, and detain suspects using minimal force when necessary.

These newly conferred powers will enable PRASA’s Protection Services to respond more swiftly and effectively to incidents of cable theft, vandalism, trespassing, and criminal activity within the rail system. The move reflects PRASA’s strategy to integrate stronger security mechanisms into its operational framework as part of its broader turnaround and recovery programme.

Strengthening Internal Security Capacity

The newly appointed Peace Officers successfully completed PRASA’s Protection Services internal training programme, conducted between May and September 2025. The rigorous course combined theoretical instruction with practical, on-ground training, covering modules such as crime prevention, law enforcement principles, incident response, evidence documentation, and commuter safety management.

Before being sworn in, all trainees were thoroughly assessed and declared competent in accordance with national standards for peace officer certification.

“This milestone marks another significant step in PRASA’s turnaround journey,” said Alexio Papadopulo, PRASA’s Acting Group Corporate Security.

“We’ve achieved 93% of our performance targets, recovered 35 out of 40 rail lines, and reduced theft and vandalism incidents considerably. The conferment of Peace Officer status enhances our capability to safeguard rail infrastructure and ensure that commuters can travel safely and with confidence.”

Expanding the Mandate of PRASA’s Protection Services

The new Peace Officers form part of PRASA’s larger security modernization strategy, which emphasizes prevention, intelligence-led policing, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies. With expanded authority, these officers will focus on securing high-risk corridors, rail depots, and stations, particularly in areas that have historically faced high rates of cable theft and vandalism.

PRASA’s Protection Services now operate as a more empowered, professionalized internal security division capable of independent law enforcement action. Their powers under the Criminal Procedure Act include:

• Arresting individuals without a warrant in the course of duty.

• Issuing written notices and summonses as per Section 56.

• Executing warrants of arrest in collaboration with police and judicial officers.

• Detaining suspects and applying necessary, proportionate force when required.

Supporting PRASA’s Turnaround and Recovery Strategy

The swearing-in of the officers comes at a pivotal time in PRASA’s turnaround programme, which has seen substantial progress in restoring service reliability. Following years of operational disruptions caused by vandalism, theft, and underinvestment, PRASA’s infrastructure recovery programme has restored 35 of its 40 key rail corridors across major urban centers, including Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape.

This recovery has been accompanied by technological upgrades, including smart surveillance systems, drone-assisted monitoring, and enhanced perimeter security at depots and stations. The deployment of trained Peace Officers complements these efforts, providing a human enforcement layer that can deter criminal behavior and improve commuter safety.

Enhancing Coordination with Law Enforcement

PRASA continues to work closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and municipal law enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and joint operations targeting organized crime syndicates involved in infrastructure theft.

The addition of 400 newly empowered Peace Officers is expected to significantly improve the agency’s ability to respond to security breaches in real time and bring offenders to justice, while also alleviating pressure on local law enforcement agencies.

A Renewed Commitment to Public Safety

The induction ceremony, attended by senior PRASA executives and representatives from government and law enforcement, concluded with the new officers taking an oath of service and receiving their official accreditation. The event symbolized a renewed commitment to restoring public confidence in South Africa’s rail network—an essential mode of transport for millions of citizens.

“The safety of our commuters and the protection of our assets are non-negotiable,” Papadopulo said. “Through this expansion of our security capacity, PRASA is taking ownership of its responsibility to provide safe, reliable, and efficient passenger rail services.”

As PRASA continues its turnaround journey, the agency’s focus remains firmly on rebuilding a safe, resilient, and modern railway system—one that serves as both a symbol of national pride and a driver of inclusive economic growth.