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MEC condemns metrorail vandalism

Johannesburg - Western Cape transport MEC Donald Grant on Wednesday condemned the vandalism of Metrorail infrastructure.

"These vandals reportedly butchered signal cables at the busy section between Philippi and Nyanga, adversely affecting the train service between Nyanga and Khayelitsha/Chris Hani and Kapteinsklip/Mitchells Plain," Grant said in a statement.

Acts of vandalism threatened the provision of reliable transport and jeopardised the safety of commuters.

"Obstructed signalling systems can have deadly consequences as trains rely on them to transport their commuters safely and on time to their destinations," Grant said.

Accurate information

Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) chief executive officer Mosenngwa Mofi said cables were cut at various points in Khayelitsha on Wednesday morning which disrupted the rail services.

"We know who is responsible for the cable theft in the Western Cape. We have issued a reward of R50 000 for the positive identification of the suspects as well as any accurate information regarding this incident," said Mofi.

Prasa had spent a total of R382m over the past three years as a result of theft and vandalism.

Mofi said four National Prosecuting Authority prosecutors would be appointed to deal with Metrorail cases.

Lost money

"Our memorandum of understanding with the NPA demonstrates the seriousness with which we regard cable theft and vandalism of our assets which potentially destabilises the whole economy if commuters cannot get to their places of work.

Mofi said: "Our replacement costs are escalating beyond our control and we could have used this lost money to improve our service and upgrade our assets.

"Closing the central lines in the Western Cape or even the Vereeniging line in Gauteng may be the only solution to this pandemic," Mofi said.

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