Five arrests, nearly 1 250 stop-and-searches conducted | Western Cape Government

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Five arrests, nearly 1 250 stop-and-searches conducted

15 April 2019

Weekly statement on all rail enforcement actions – a joint media release from Metrorail, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government

The Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) inspected 11 hot spot areas and scrapyards last week, and PRASA’S multi-disciplinary teams patrolled 1 053 trains. Read more below:

Five suspects were arrested for stolen goods by PRASA Protection Services and private security contractors last week, and 15 knives and various tools used for cable theft were confiscated. Furthermore, the teams patrolled 1 053 trains, conducted 1 213 searches, attended one court case, dismantled 17 structures and removed 31 indigent people from rail reserves.

Fines to the value of R26 800 were issued by the REU, furthermore, 23 stop-and-searches were conducted last week.

MPS, RRPU & PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTOR ACTIONS Number Detail *REU ACTIONS Number Detail
Arrests 5 Suspects arrested for being in possession of stolen property, drugs Arrests 0  
Trains patrolled 1053 Regional schedule with special focus on area identified during crime pattern analysis Autonomous operations 0  
Confiscations 15 Hacksaws, drugs, cabling and various tools Confiscations 0  
Searches 1 213 Regional schedule of designated trains and stations

Impoundments:

Metal
0  
Legal Succession Act Schedule B (warnings/fines) 34 Holding train doors open, entering or exiting a moving train, crossing railway lines illegally at stations and in section  and standing in between coaches while train in motion Fines in terms of the Traffic By-law, general 7 R19 300
Vagrants removed 31 Section Cape Town Inspections of hotspot areas and scrapyards 11  
Structures dismantled and removed 17 Section Cape Town Section 56 notices to appear in court 7  
Joint operations 1 With law enforcement Section 341 notices (fines) 5 R7 500
Court cases attended 1   Stop-and-search actions 23  
Convictions 0 10 years imprisonment (6 direct – 4 years suspended) Complaints attended to 3  
PRASA Protection Services is tasked to ensure Legal Succession Act compliance, crime prevention and commuter safety. * The Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) is a special security initiative funded by PRASA, the City of Cape Town and Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works to focus on by-law compliance, metal theft prevention and to support SAPS Railway Police in the protection of commuters. Its 100 law enforcement officers are trained as Peace Officers with traffic warden and street survival skills and firearm competency and also focus on by-law compliance. The Unit’s performance is reflected separately to monitor performance and assess feasibility

 

‘Every successful arrest and conviction is an incentive for us to do more and better. Interventions implemented are gaining traction in the battle against vandalism and cable theft. Surveillance and patrols, aided by forensic evidence, ensure that cases registered at the various police offices reach the courts and that convictions follow,’ said Metrorail Western Cape Regional Manager, Richard Walker.

‘We’re now approaching the Easter period and the REU’s assistance in ensuring the safety and security of our commuters making use of the urban rail service will be invaluable. Urban rail is the backbone of public transport in Cape Town. Thousands of commuters are relying on the service to get to work and other destinations. The majority of these commuters are from low-income households and cannot afford other modes of public transport. The City remains dedicated and focused in restoring commuters’ faith in our urban rail service, and with the commitment from the other stakeholders within the public transport realm this goal can be achieved,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.

‘The REU is making significant strides in zeroing in on criminal activity within the rail network and continues to make use of data and intelligence in carrying out its operations, and apprehending criminals. In all enforcement activities, authorities rely heavily on the criminal justice system to effectively prosecute, convict, and sentence criminals that have targeted the rail network and threatened the provision of safe and reliable passenger rail transportation for commuters. If we continue to working together in this way, it is clear that these criminals must not, and will not, succeed in their criminal endeavours and will face the full might of the law. I am encouraged by the progress that the REU continues to make on a daily basis and thank them for their continued dedication,’ said the Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works and Chairperson of the Rail Management Task Team, Donald Grant.

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

Metrorail Protection Services hot-line 021 449 4336/5056
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
Media Enquiries: 

Ald. Felicity Purchase
City of Cape Town
cell: 083 629 0829
email: Felicity.Purchase@capetown.gov.za or media.account@capetown.gov.za

Daphne Kayster
Metrorail Western Cape
tel: 021 449 2101
email: daphne.kayster@prasa.com

Siphesihle Dube
Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
cell:084 233 3811
email: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za