Vandalism cost Metrorail millions

By Mishkah Anthony
10 February 2008


Vandals have prevented thousands of Metrorail commuters on the Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain line from arriving for work on time on Friday morning.

Metrorail received reports of signal cable theft at 4:30 am on Friday at the Bonteheuwel relay room, this effectively resulting in commuters arriving late for work.

In the absence of automatic signalling, all trains serving the Khayelitsha, Kapteinsklip and Mitchell’s Plain areas must be manually as a safety precaution.

Some five meters of 64 and 24 core cables have been stolen. And trains were delayed by 90 to 120 minutes.

Metrorail Spokesperson Riana Scott says, “vandalism for Metrorail comprises of items such as train windows, seats, handrails, air pipes, lights luggage racks and even coach doors.”

Scott says these types of vandalism could cost Metrorail almost R1,5 mililion a month.

Report vandalism to Metrorail’s all- hours security hotline at 0800 21 00 81. A reward for 25 thousand rand is offered for information of successful arrest of vandals.