No breaks for criminals

Clampdown on perpetrators for theft and rail infrastructure damage-related crimes

NINE suspects were arrested for drug, theft and rail infrastructure destruction-related crimes in the past week.

Of the nine, two suspects were arrested in Delft and Ravensmead, in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, for alleged tampering and malicious damage to essential infrastructure.

Another seven suspects were arrested in Bishop Lavis, Lentegeur, Langa, Claremont, Kraaifontein and Kensington for alleged possession of suspected stolen property, dangerous weapons and drugs.

The arrests took place when the Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) conducted eight operations and 1 520 stop-and-search operations, inspected 147 hotspot areas and scrapyards, and conducted patrols at stations.

Metrorail Western Cape regional manager Richard Walker said their focus on improving the rail service was unwavering, as offenders continued to pay a high price for their crimes.

Walker said thieves mostly still target underground signal cables but their teams recovered about 93% of it.

“Our teams collaborate well with various law enforcement agencies. The quality of their reporting is good and court submissions comply with prosecuting standards. We believe that this is the winning recipe for the high conviction rate in this province,” Walker said.

Mayoral committee member for transport Felicity Purchase said the unit and other protection services had done a sterling job last week.

“The arrests, in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, are very important because this act provides for stricter bail conditions and harsher sentences, including up to 30 years’ imprisonment for those caught and convicted, for destruction of essential infrastructure,” Purchase said.

“The purpose of this act is to ensure those who undermine and sabotage our urban rail service stay behind bars for a long time. The more arrests we make, the better our chances of stabilising the rail service and ensuring that the trains arrive and depart on time”.

Transport and Public Works MEC Donald Grant said the work of the REU continued to bear fruit and improve safety in the rail network. He said the the arrests being made every week were encouraging and necessary to rid the network of all criminal activity.

“Using intelligence to address the issues at their source has been critical to the success of the various operations the REU has been involved in. Hotspot areas and scrapyards are no longer a safe haven for criminals, with more and more stolen equipment being recovered. In our efforts to improve the conditions in our rail network, the safety of commuters and the reliability and affordability of the service remain our priority,” Grant said.

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Hotspot areas and scrapyards are no longer a safe haven Donald Grant MEC: TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS