Clamping down on crime on trains

NINE suspects are to appear in court this week, after they were arrested for possession of stolen goods and burglary equipment, which included hacksaws, drugs, cabling and various tools on Metrorail trains.

The arrest came from a joint effort by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s multidisciplinary teams that include the Rail Enforcement Unit (REU), Prasa Protection Services, private security contractors and the police.

Metrorail Western Cape regional manager Richard Walker said they were encouraged by the weekly arrests made by their teams, “which demonstrate that the efforts we’ve put in place to address the issue of cable theft and vandalism are paying off”.

Walker said the collaboration was proving to be very effective, and the arrested suspects were charged in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.

“We welcome the convictions we had in court last week, which have effectively given 12-year jail sentences to two convicted felons. However, we’re alarmed that while we’re making arrests, we continue to see daily attacks on the system,” Walker said.

“We now see the importance of having to get to the source of the problem, which squarely sits at the feet of the scrap dealers, as well as the bucket shops within communities.

“Therefore we have to lobby to review the current legislation, which will allow us to act if scrap dealers are found to be trading illegally and not following the prescripts of the law. In terms of the Second-Hand Goods Act, their assets can be confiscated, their business can be closed down, as well as owners be arrested and brought in front of a court,” Walker said.

Transport and Public Works MEC Donald Grant said the REU was making “significant strides” in zeroing in on criminal activity within the rail network.

“In all enforcement activities, authorities rely heavily on the criminal justice system to effectively prosecute, convict and sentence criminals who have targeted the rail network and threatened the provision of safe and reliable passenger rail transportation for commuters.

“If we continue working together in this way, it’s clear that these criminals must not, and will not, succeed in their criminal endeavours and will face the full might of the law,” Grant said.

Mayco member for Transport Felicity Purchase was pleased by the arrests and said: “Creating a safer travelling experience for the thousands of commuters who rely on this service daily remains a priority for the City.”