On Wednesday 11 December, Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed that two teen arsonists were arrested for the fire at Cape Town Train Station back in November 2019.

The fire was started during the early morning hours of 28 November. It caused the temporary shutdown of the train station and more than 18 train carriages were destroyed in the blaze.

Setback for MetroRail

The station was forced to operate with only ten of the 24 platforms and the entire Western Cape train service was suspended due to the arson attack. Commuters were left with no choice but to use alternative modes of transport.

It was another blow to MetroRail, which had lost about 213 coaches since 2014 due to arson attacks. To damages over the past five years totalled R643m.

Officers were able to link the two teenagers to the arson case by reviewing CCTV footage. More information pertaining to the case will be released to the public in due course.

Millions in damages

This follows after MetroRail released the footage of the train arson suspects. Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa told Eyewitness News:

“We can confirm that two teenagers were arrested by our detectives following the release of the CCTV footage and pictures of the alleged arsonists behind the torching of 18 train carriages at Cape Town Train Station.”

Approximately R61m in damage was caused during the attack, which is described as unprecedented, and Prasa offered a reward of R100 000 to anyone who could provide information about the arsonists.

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Copper cables theft

In another case, a 35-year-old man has been arrested for being in possession of Prasa train copper cables in Cape Town, Western Cape police said.

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said the man was arrested on Monday morning with 47 meters of Prasa train copper cables in Beach Road, Woodstock.

He said the arrest occurred during crime prevention patrols when Woodstock SAPS and Neighbourhood Watch members cornered a man who was pushing a wheelie bin.

When he noticed the authorities, he started to run but officers caught up with him. The man is expected to appear in the Cape Town’s Magistrates Court.

“The members brought the suspect back to his bin and recovered and seized 47 meters of copper cables belonging to Prasa,” said Van Wyk.

“This collaboration involving community safety structures in crime prevention initiatives, will be ongoing throughout the festive season,” added Van Wyk.

Additional reporting by African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Emsie Ferreira.