Tracking fire suspects
R100 000 reward as footage shows pair allegedly involved in arson attack
METRORAIL has released CCTV footage of the two suspects allegedly involved in the recent train fires at the Cape Town Station.
This comes in an attempt to track down the suspects believed to have been behind the burning of the train on November 28.
The footage recorded at about 2.30am showed two men walking and running in a panic trying to gain access to the train that later burnt, with a colourless liquid believed to be paraffin in one’s hand.
While four suspects were initially reported to have been behind the attack, Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said that they “will publicise footage as investigators release material… it may yet come” but so far only two have been revealed.
One of the suspects can be seen wearing a black, red and white hoodie with cream pants, and the other is wearing a navy track top with khaki pants while keeping his face covered with a maroon scarf.
Scott said the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) Protection Services and specialist investigators continue to work hand in hand with the police in the investigation into the train fires at Cape Town Station.
“The investigation is progressing well and fresh images have been released to encourage more people to contact the investigating officer with information about several persons of interest who police believe can assist them in their investigation,” Scott said.
Metrorail Western Cape regional manager Richard Walker said it was heart-breaking to see communities so dependent on affordable public transport being robbed of mobility shortly before the year-end festivities.
“Breadwinners working hard to ensure their families are provided for during the upcoming festive time and saving for school expenses next year are forced to spend much-needed money on transport rather than on their loved ones,” Walker said.
The incident in the early hours of November 28 destroyed 18 train carriages worth R61 million, overhead electrical wiring to the tune of R154 000 and rendered 14 of Cape Town Station’s 24 available platforms inoperable.
Walker said the R100 000 reward was still up for anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of suspects identified by the CCTV footage.
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz said he had noted that the police had failed to bring anyone to book over the deliberate attacks on the railway infrastructure: “I’ve asked the Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) office to investigate this.”
Fritz said the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, signed into law by the Presidency on November 20, “would be for naught if we’re unable to arrest the perpetrators. I’m pleased to announce that the matter will be investigated by the WCPO and has been allocated to senior investigators.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula will be announcing changes to Prasa management today.
https://capetowntrains.sitelio.me/latest%20news/r100-000-reward-stillup-for-grabs-update-on-investigationinto-train-fires