Central line still closed after shooting

THE train service along the Khayelitsha-Kapteinsklip-Bishop Lavis line will remain suspended today following the fatal shooting of a security guard Tuesday night.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said a case of murder was opened for investigation following a shooting incident where a 50-year-old security guard was killed.

“According to information, the incident occurred on January 9 in Chris Hani railway station, Makhaza, Khayelitsha. Unidentified suspects robbed and shot the victim,” Rwexana said.

Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said the incident was indicative of the environment to which their employees and customers were exposed to, and “urgent intervention is required to stem criminal activities in the communities”.

Walker said discussions with SAPS leadership continued yesterday to assess the situation in the area.

“We need to be reassured that the area is stable and that trains can operate safely before services can be reinstated. Regrettably, Metrorail has no buses to offer as alternative transport,” Walker said.

“However, Metrorail monthly/weekly ticket holders may utilise Golden Arrow buses off-peak – outbound to Khayelitsha this afternoon after 6pm and inbound tomorrow morning after 8.30am.”

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) spokesperson, Sonja Carstens, said a member and Metrorail guard, Christele Meyer, was on duty with the victim.

In a statement, Meyer, who described her colleague as a kind man, said he was “shot in the throat with his service pistol and died instantly”.

Meyer said that at the Heideveld train station, two men pointed a gun at her and her colleague.

“He told me to fall down which I did,” Meyer said.

“The train continued to the Nyanga train station. When we stopped at the platform, three armed men got onto the train and robbed several commuters.”

When the train stopped at the Chris Hani station at about 6pm, Meyer and her colleague had to leave the train at the turnaround back to Cape Town.

“I saw there was a commotion at the cabin of the train driver where he and his armed guard got out.

“The next moment I heard a shot. I turned around and found my armed guard was shot,” said Meyer.