Cape Town train fires: Cops are looking for these suspects

According to SABC News, Prasa has appealed to the public to help confirm the identity of the four suspects who were captured on security cameras in the act of committing arson which led to R61m in damages.

Prasa has strongly condemned the acts of arson, saying there is absolutely no justification for destroying state assets and inconveniencing thousands of commuters. 

Platforms 10 to 19 will remain closed at Cape Town Station until further notice. 

Gutted trains and carriages leave commuters stranded 

Two Metrorail trains and at least 18 carriages were gutted by fire in the early hours of 28 November, forcing a suspension of services. 

Flames and smoke were seen bellowing from Cape Town Station shortly before dawn, in what has been reported as yet another arson attack on the city’s already beleaguered rail infrastructure. 

The latest blaze comes as a huge setback to the City of Cape Town’s railway safety initiative, which was instituted following the loss of at least 45 Metrorail carriages over the past two years.

Scourge of vandalism, arson plagues railway stations

Over the past three years, vandalism and arson have cut Metrorail’s Cape Town fleet in half, with 2018 being a particularly destructive period. Consecutive train fires severely crippled the city’s rail infrastructure, with calls from local government to have the situation declared as an emergency.

The lack of prosecutions relating to these crimes have cost Metrorail in excess of R500-million and led to serious regional commuter concerns. The inability to service Cape Town’s commuter needs has left Metrorail, as well as the city, in a dire position.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the investigating officer Sergeant Williams on 078-037-5969. Prasa says all information will be treated as confidential and full anonymity is guaranteed.