According to local media, South Africa's passenger rail agency (Prasa) has prohibited preaching, gambling, and unauthorized trade in its new trains.

The move is among measures meant to ensure that "one particular behavioural system of any other group cannot be imposed on other commuters on board", the agency's spokesperson is quoted as saying.

Additionally, it will improve cleaning and passenger safety onboard.

"We are doing this in an effort to ensure that there is the free passage of movement for our commuters, so that they are kept clean and safe," she said.

Preachers and shady dealers have criticized the new law.