Prime
TRC boss alleges sabotage in SGR service disruptions
What you need to know:
- The sabotage efforts are aimed at creating chaos and discrediting the project.
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) has attributed the ongoing disruptions in the operations of the modern electric train (SGR) to deliberate sabotage aimed at undermining the project.
TRC Director General Masanja Kadogosa made the allegations following multiple incidents of technical failures since the train service commenced in June 2024.
Kadogosa noted that the first electric train journey from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro took place on June 14, with subsequent routes to Dodoma starting on July 25.
However, several incidents, including a significant disruption on November 3, have raised concerns among passengers and officials alike.
On that date, TRC reported a malfunction in the operational system that caused scheduling chaos and left passengers stranded at various stations for extended periods.
In a public statement, TRC apologized to passengers of the electric train who began their journey from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma at 2am on November 5, only to experience an abrupt stop between Pugu and Soga at 2.20am.
The train was still in its early days of operation, having launched services just a few days prior.
The disruptions continued on November 4, when a train leaving Dodoma at 11.15am halted for 20 minutes due to another technical issue.
Passengers expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the crew during these incidents, leading to confusion and concern about their safety.
One passenger reported, “There were no announcements, and after a while, the train began to reverse back to where we came from. We arrived in Dar at 3.30am, which was outside the scheduled time.”
In response to these issues, Mr Kadogosa explained that the recent problems were not due to power outages, as some speculated.
“We have power 24 hours a day, and we have never encountered power issues since this project started. The disruptions have been caused by sabotage, including cutting cables on the tracks between Soga and Pugu,” he stated.
Mr Kadogosa emphasized that those responsible for the sabotage are not common thieves but individuals’ intent on damaging the project's reputation.
“We have apprehended some individuals involved, and there is evidence against them. We didn’t want to announce their identities immediately as we are dealing with them discreetly,” he said.
He further elaborated that the sabotage efforts are aimed at creating chaos and discrediting the project.
“This is not the first time we are facing such issues. The culprits want to create noise to make the project appear ineffective, but we will fight against them,” Mr Kadogosa affirmed.
TRC is currently investigating the incidents and has promised to take necessary actions against those involved in the sabotage.
“We will not allow a handful of people to disrupt the service that benefits many Tanzanians. The cables cut on the track are high voltage, and those who tamper with them are not ordinary individuals,” he added.
In addition to the sabotage claims, Kadogosa addressed concerns about the performance of the trains themselves.
He stated that of the three trains in operation—Magufuli, Samia, and Nyerere—none are malfunctioning.
“There have been rumors about faulty trains, but the issues we faced were related to the track, not the trains themselves,” he clarified.
Economic analyst Oscar Mkude weighed in on the situation, suggesting that TRC needs to improve its communication strategy.
“Providing timely information is crucial, especially since this transport system is popular. People will face challenges, but transparency will help them plan accordingly,” he advised.
As investigations into the sabotage continue, TRC remains committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of the SGR service, which aims to enhance transportation between Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, and Dodoma.
