Vandals torch train coaches in Umlazi
Sne Masuku
Stranded train commuters at Lindokuhle railway station in Umlazi, Durban, yesterday said arsonists used wooden pallets from a nearby factory to torch a stationary train on Wednesday night.
A security guard who was at the scene and commuters who witnessed the fire reported seeing wooden pallets placed under rolling stock.
“They must have got the pallets from the factory near the station, which produces Wendy Houses,” said a bystander, who did not want to be named.
Rail traffic was affected yesterday after the fire gutted seven coaches.
The incident occured during rush hour at about 6pm.
One of the commuters at the station when the fire broke out was Nohlanhla Mthethwa.
She was waiting to catch a train home and said yesterday: “Suddenly we saw a stationary train in flames.”
Buses were arranged to take the stranded commuters home while fi refighters fought the blaze.
No one was injured during the incident as people fled the burning train.
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) spokesperson Zama Nomnganga said police were investigating the incident.
“We want to send out a strong message to the criminals who vandalised our train,” said Nomnganga. “People should not resort to violence and vandalism just because they are angry about something.
“We urge commuters to report these criminals so that this does not happen again.”
Nomnganga said this was the first torching of a train in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We have heard stories about people setting trains on fire for arriving late in other provinces.”
Nomnganga said rail traffic yesterday was severely affected.
The arsonists were reportedly angry because they thought the train in front of them had broken down.
Nomnganga said the route was reopened at 1.30pm.
It will cost millions of rands to repair the damaged rolling stock.
We urge commuters to report these criminals so that this does not happen again. We have heard stories about people setting trains on fire for arriving late in other provinces Zama Nomnganga Prasa spokesperson