Cape Town - Every month Metrorail loses 70 train carriages due to fires and vandalism in Cape Town.
A cat makes its home in a gutted Metrorail carriage. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
At Maitland station there is a whole "graveyard" of burnt out and vandalised train carriages. Last month two entire trains were set alight in Cape Town.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
On a daily basis Metrorail reports vandalism of signals and cable theft.
A cat makes its home in a gutted Metrorail carriage. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
Metrorail’s Riana Scott said suspects have been arrested in connection with cable theft.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
A few weeks ago another person was arrested while in the process of vandalising a train carriage.
A cat makes its home in a gutted Metrorail carriage. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
“The estimated repair cost and the value of the cable recovered amounted to R400 000.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
"With regards to train windows - these have been the target of vandals for decades, initially for their aluminium frames, then later entire windows would disappear only to surface in informal dwellings," Scott said.
A cat makes its home in a gutted Metrorail carriage. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
“It was suspected at the time that the thieves would sell the windows onto unsuspecting homebuilders.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
"Subsequently our engineers designed half-drop windows with polycarbonate shrouds.
A cat makes its home in a gutted Metrorail carriage. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
"Windows are still being vandalised. Their absence will not necessarily delay trains but is inconvenient to our customers especially during winter and rainy weather,” she said.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said they wanted to eradicate crime from rail precincts.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
"We encourage communities and commuters to be part of the fight against crime by reporting suspicious behaviour. A reward of up to R25 000 is payable for any information leading to a conviction,” he said.
The "train graveyard" in Salt River, Cape Town. Picture: David Ritchie/ANA Pictures
A commuter at Maitland station who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The fact that trains are being burnt out like this, is sad because all of us are being affected by it.”