More than 60,000 Metrorail commuters stranded in Soweto after cable theft

More than 60,000 commuters were affected earlier today after cable theft at Metrorail’s Naledi corridor between Dube and Ikhwezi train stations. Due to this, trains running between Johannesburg and Soweto are stranded until the cables can be replaced.

The spokesperson for Metrorail, Lillian Mofokeng, confirmed that “technicians are at the affected areas assessing the damage with a view to start replacing stolen cables.” She added that buses would be made available as an alternative option for weekly and monthly ticket holders. Even then, Metrorail warned that there would still be delays.

The repairs were given priority as learners are currently writing exams, and the acting provincial manager of Gauteng Metrorail, Goodman Matampi, said in a statement that criminals now target both lines “to make sure the railway system is paralysed for peak period operations,” Soweto Urban reports. He added:

“We call on support from local government and law enforcement agencies to help us tighten all efforts in fighting this criminality which may soon lead to the collapse of the railway services and negatively affect the economy of the province.”

My class mates at Wits Tech early 2000's who used Metrorail from Soweto were always late coz of incompetent Metrorail. Even on Test days

We'd even laugh at their slogan "Metrorail will take you there nomakanjani", eventually you'd get there even if its 5 hours layer 😂😂 https://t.co/MuSZAtSwiA

— Responsible Father of Three!!! 🇿🇦 (@AndileMlondo) August 21, 2018

Criminals are after the nonferrous metals and often steal the high-tensile steel components from railway lines. Apart from delays, this could also lead to derailment.

Back in January, two Metrorail trains collided in Germiston when the automotive signalling device malfunctioned due to cable theft. At the time, Eyewitness News reported that more than 200 commuters were injured in the collision at Geldenhuis station.

Members of the community are urged to report any criminal behaviour, either to Protection Services officials at stations, or to the Gauteng Region office on 011 773 5878, or to Head Office on 011 773 1600.

This followed just days after PRASA announced that a modernisation programme is underway and that most of the Park Station platforms will be closed for a transition period between November and December. Only five out of the 16 platforms will be operational.