A construction worker and his colleague took to social media platform TikTok to express alleged discrimination and racism by Gautrain staff at Hatfield station in Pretoria recently.
The man was dismayed after being told they were too dirty to board a Gautrain.
A few days ago, Colin Smith, the individual who posted the video, captured a man— possibly a colleague — wearing work clothes, indicating that they had just left a building or construction site.
“I am at Gauteng station in Pretoria, and according to the train… we should not get into the train because we are dirty. So I don’t know now if this is a racist thing because there is nothing on the board saying anything about not getting on the train with overalls. Meaning that all people that are successful must wear suits to be reckoned as passengers on Gautrain. The securities just informed us now that we should not board a train because we are carrying overalls.
“So the money, I don’t know what difference it makes, should your money also wear overalls or suits for you to get into the train? So I am just posting this to let you know,” said Smith in the video.
When The Star questioned Kesagee Nayager, the spokesperson for Gautrain, about whether it was true that anyone deemed unclean could not board the train, she said that it wasn’t.
“We are aware of this video circulating on social media concerning a person/people who were allegedly prevented from using the Gautrain service due to their attire. Whilst we are investigating the matter to establish the facts, we wish to reiterate that Gautrain is a public transport service, and we do not tolerate discrimination,” said Nayager.
She said Gautrain rules are implemented to ensure the system is maintained to the highest standards of safety, cleanliness, and efficiency and will not be used to discriminate against any person.
In response to Smith’s financial question in the video, Nayager replied that individuals can get their money back if they made a payment.
Smith also questioned who is considered fit to board the train and what clothing is appropriate.
“Gautrain is a public transport service, and we do not tolerate discrimination. Instead, we celebrate diversity in South Africa and serve the nation at large. Valuing and respecting people’s differences onboard the Gautrain is in the best interest of nation building,” she said.
The Star
ntombi.nkosi@inl.co.za