Cape Town – The sentencing of a train arsonist has revealed the motive was to create a better market for the taxi industry.
Ricardo Khan was sentenced to 20 years behind bars following his trial in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court.
During the trial it was revealed via Khan’s own testimony that he was paid handsomely when a train was out of service, providing a boost to the taxi industry.
A senior member at the Passenger Rail Agency SA revealed during the trial that since 2019, four trains were burnt and stations vandalised leaving commuters with no option but to make use of the taxis for transportation.
Khan was convicted of the charge of damage to essential infrastructure which amounted to R3.5 million.
The State proved that Khan deliberately set alight a train in Eersterivier on March 20 and was caught on video.
Eric Ntabazalila of the National Prosecuting Authority said Khan was identified by a witness and was seen on video footage.
“Ricardo Khan has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, after burning a train causing damage worth R3.5m with a projected impact of R9m to the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) as a result of the incident.
“Khan, who works at the Eersterivier taxi rank, was convicted on a count of damage to essential infrastructure.
“It emerged during the trial that the taxi industry benefits whenever trains are put out of service, and the accused testified that he gets paid more if more taxis are in operation and business is good.
“The court heard that a train carriage was set alight at Eersterivier station on March 20, 2020.
“Law enforcement officers, Prasa officials and a dedicated team of police officials attached to the Provincial Command Cape Town, attended the scene.
“A commuter approached a law enforcement officer and pointed out a suspect.
“A Prasa official made a video of the incident and later that video was closely examined, a suspect was identified and it was the same person earlier pointed out to the law enforcement.
“Khan was arrested and later denied bail, a trial commenced in December 2021, and he was convicted and sentenced on April 20, 2022.”
Ntabazalila said evidence led in the case by train experts was that the industry suffered financial losses.
“Prasa chief investigator Jan Paul Jordaan, a veteran with a 25-year of experience, testified that Prasa falls about 70% under their budget every month due to failure to generate income due to no train availability.
“This has impacted the whole community, the Western Cape community, and people using trains as transport because trains are the cheapest mode of transport.”
He said Herold Jacobus Van Reenen, a senior protection officer at Prasa for 26 years, said since 2019 there have been four train burnings, theft of hard drives from stations, vandalism and theft of copper cables.
Van Reenen testified that trains were set alight, which meant there was no movement of commuters and the obvious other choice was taxis.
Senior State Advocate Aradhana Heeramun argued the financial loss by Prasa was to be considered by the court: “However, the impact that these incidents has on the poor in our communities is where the real tragedy lay.
“Trains are the cheapest form of transport.
“When sets are put out of use, commuters are forced to use taxis, which are more expensive and this ultimately costs commuters more money.
“Only the taxi industry benefits when trains are put out of service.
“Prasa has to reimburse commuters due to sets being put out of use.
“The replacement of the carriages comes at exorbitant costs to the State.”
She welcomed the sentence stating it was a successful prosecution due to teamwork and the dedication of all role-players which included the investigating officer, Sergeant Marthiens Jacobs, whom she said had to be commended for his hard work.
Advocate Nicolette Bell, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape applauded their work.
“We are pleased with this sentence,” she said.
“It sends a very strong message because burning trains is economic sabotage.
“Its impact goes far beyond the immediate satisfaction of the accused and negatively affects the country’s economy.”
Weekend Argus