Stop and search focus | Western Cape Government

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Stop and search focus

28 January 2019

Weekly statement on Rail Enforcement Unit – a joint media release from Metrorail, the City Of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government

The Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) this past week conducted 81 inspections and issued fines to the value of R9 100. Read more below:

Members of the REU deployment focused on stop and search actions over the past week. They also joined PRASA, Claremont and Parow SAPS to conduct seven joint operations.

Actions Number Detail
Arrests 7
  • Possession of drugs
  • Possession of stolen property
  • Possession of property presumed stolen
  • Theft
  • Malicious damage to property
  • Robbing with weapon other than firearm
Impoundments:
Metal
125m
60m
6kg
37m
2m
1
1
  • copper railway signal cable
  • telecommunications cable
  • copper cable
  • 61 core cable
  • 2 core cable
  • Hack saw
  • Pliers
Liquor 2 units
General 21
1
1
1
1
Half mandrax tablets (value R939.50)
Cutters
Okapi knife
Knife
Imitation firearm
Section 56 notices To appear in court 3  
Section 341 notices (fines) 7 Value R4 600
Traffic by law: Unlicensed Motor vehicles (fines) 2 Value R2 000
Air Quality By Law (fines) 1 R2 500
Hot spot & scrap yard Inspections 81  
Stop and search actions 491  
Public assistance actions 52  
Attended complaints 19  

 

‘It is gratifying to notice the inroads made into criminal incidents affecting the rail service. The proceeds of crime can be termed the third economy in the Cape and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. The crime bosses will not relinquish profitable businesses easily and we should be aware that at best we displace crime from one area to another. Without the assistance of all spheres of law enforcement and active community vigilance, the battle will not be easily won,’ says Metrorail Western Cape Regional manager Richard Walker.

’The REU is making steady progress. The confiscation of copper railway signal cable in particular must be commended as this infrastructure is vital in ensuring that our urban rail service operates as it should. I commend the officers for their hard work. I’m also appealing to residents to report suspicious incidents and criminal activities so that we can apprehend those responsible for undermining and sabotaging our passenger rail system which is the backbone of public transport in Cape Town,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.

‘We are pleased that the REU has encouraged even further co-operation amongst law enforcement agencies tasked with keeping communities safe, particularly with the South African Police Services (SAPS). Tackling crime, especially as it infiltrates the rail network, is an area in which significant progress can be made when we work together. We are duty-bound to the citizens of the Western Cape to exhibit co-operation that improves the safety of commuters. We look forward to continued joint operations that target criminality and make the rail network a no-go area for criminals and their attempts to cripple passenger rail,’ said Minister of Transport and Public Works and Chairperson of the RMTT, Donald Grant.

The public can assist these efforts by reporting crime and vandalism, as this forms part of the intelligence that drives deployment and operations.   

Illicit and suspicious activity may be reported to any number listed below:

RRPU Cape Town (platform 1) 021 443 4325
RRPU Bellville 021 941 6800
RRPU Philippi/Stock Road 021 370 1011
RRPU Retreat

021 710 5129

RRPU Radio Control/OPS room 021 449 4309/10
SAPS Crime Stop 0860 10111
Crime line

SMS 32211

City of Cape Town Metals Theft Unit 0800 222 2771

 

Rewards of up to R25 000 are payable for information leading to successful conviction

Media Enquiries: 

Alderman Felicity Purchase
the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport
Tel: 021 400 7197 or Cell: 083 629 0829
Email: felicity.purchase@capetown.gov.za (please always copy media.account@capetown.gov.za)

Riana Scott, Spokesperson: Metrorail Western Cape
Tel: 021 4496181 or Cell: 083 284 3508
Email: RScott@metrorail.co.za.

Siphesihle Dube, Spokesperson for the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 8954 or Cell: 084 233 3811
Email: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za.