Gautrain bus drivers in firing line

In terms of the disciplinary procedures invoked following their illegal strike on 1 February, Gautrain bus drivers were given until 11am on Friday, 3 February, to make representation as to why they should not be dismissed.

Braithwaite said the drivers requested an extension of the deadline and Mega Express (the Gautrain bus operating company) agreed to extend the deadline to 1pm.

"Shortly before 1pm, a request was received requesting a further extension. Again, in the interests of maximum fairness, Mega Express agreed to extend the deadline to 4pm. A submission from the drivers was subsequently received.

"Following careful consideration of the submission, and bearing in mind that this is the fourth illegal work stoppage in the last six months and that it is in defiance of a court interdict compelling the drivers to return to work, the management of Mega Express came to the view that the contents of the submission did not provide justifiable grounds to halt the disciplinary procedures," said Braithwaite.

"As a consequence the process to dismiss those drivers involved in the illegal strike has now begun."

Braithwaite said approximately 300 drivers were affected.

All Gautrain bus services remain suspended on Monday morning. Mega Express is now working on plans to implement at least a skeleton bus service on key routes as soon as possible, but this will not be possible today.

Gautrain has apologised to passengers for the inconvenience.

Last month, drivers went on strike because they wanted Mega Express to provide them with transport from their homes to their place of work every day.