'Piet won't die in vain,' Prasa vows at slain train driver's memorial


Cape Town - Prasa vowed on Thursday to "take our station back" after hundreds of mourners turned out for a memorial service at Netreg Station for slain train driver Piet Botha in Cape Town.

Members of Prasa, Metrorail and provincial MEC for transport and public works Donald Grant spoke on the Netreg train station platform to show their support for the Botha family.

Wife Tania, son Brandon and daughter Nadia sat in the front row of the makeshift memorial area as they said goodbye to their husband and father. Pastor Nkosinathi Bence led the service. "This place will be remembered as the place where our brother Piet fell," he said.

Botha was described as being well-loved by his colleagues and family members.


fields hill

'A real joker'

Aubrey Hyman, train control manager for the Wellington line, said Piet was a character like no other. "This past week was indeed a sad day at our depot."

To us Piet Botha was more than a colleague. When Piet was in a meeting, everyone knew Piet was in the meeting. When Piet was in the mess hall, everyone knew Piet was in the mess hall.

"He was that type of man."

A light moment followed as someone in the crowd said "a real joker", causing the entire Botha family to laugh knowingly. "My last conversation with Piet, he said he was here at Netreg because he wanted to train someone else to be the best."

Botha had been training a younger train driver on the day he was killed.


- News24


Previously reported:

Mr. Pieter Barend (Piet) Botha

View More Here