Police investigating arson
Commuters will be severely affected after two trains were set alight this week
A PERSON has been detained by the police and is being questioned in connection with the burning of two trains at Cape Town station on Tuesday.
Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said: “We believe that the police are questioning persons of interest.”
Scott said platforms 15 and 16 had been reopened while platforms 17-19 would remain closed until further notice.
“The service was stable today (Wednesday) and customers have been understanding of the platform changes and additional wait outside Cape Town for a suitable platform allocation.
“The confirmed damage to date is seven carriages, 200m of overhead wire above platforms 17 and 18, and the Parade Concourse ticket office,” she said.
Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said: “This office can confirm that a 22-year-old man has been taken in for questioning. Our investigation is yet to be finalised and no one has been charged as yet.”
Mayoral committee member for transport and urban development Brett Herron said: “Once again, Cape Town’s commuters will be severely affected by delays and disruptions to the service, and some may have to spend money on alternative modes of transport to get home after work.
“Our urban rail system is operating at a fraction of the capacity it needs to to service the demand. Over the past three years we have lost more than 140 carriages to fire.”
He said the city and the Western Cape government were assisting the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa to stabilise the service. by jointly funding a dedicated Rail Enforcement Unit with Prasa. It will be operational later this month. |