REU makes 424 arrests in stop, search blitz

MORE than 37 000 people were stopped and searched during 4 000 patrols conducted in hot spot areas and 424 suspects arrested by the Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) for the financial year which ended on June 30.

The City’s mayco member for transport, Felicity Purchase, said the unit also recovered more than 2 000m of stolen copper and aluminium cables.

Purchase said there were 424 arrests on charges of assault, armed robbery, possession of drugs and stolen property, malicious damage to property and theft.

She said the unit registered 269 cases, of which 109 were in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, 37 234 stop-and-searches conducted on trains, platforms and at stations across Cape Town.

Purchase said there were 467 operations within the rail environment, 2 000m of copper cable and aluminium cable impounded, 4 107 inspections of hot spot areas and scrapyards and confiscation of various dangerous weapons and equipment used for vandalising and stealing rail infrastructure, including knives, screwdrivers and hacksaw blades.

The unit was a pilot rail safety project funded by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA and the City.

“The Memorandum of Agreement between the City, Prasa, and the Western Cape government came to an end on June 30.

“Over the past two years, the REU has acted as a force multiplier for Prasa’s regional Metro Protection Services Unit,” Purchase said.

She said the REU officers were trained by the City as peace officers to work with Prasa’s security in focusing on safety and security of Metrorail commuters and infrastructure.

Prasa spokesperson Makhosini Mgitywa said they were pleased with yesterday’s arrests and the recovery of assets and called on the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute the suspects under economic sabotage charges.