Western Cape Government condemns fatal shooting of Metrorail security guard

Statement by Minister Donald Grant, Minister of Transport and Public Works

I was deeply saddened and angered to hear of the most recent fatal shooting of a Metrorail security guard at the Chris Hani station in Khayelitsha yesterday evening. This latest attack has resulted in the suspension of the Khayelitsha-Kapteinsklip-Bishop Lavis train service until further notice.

On behalf of the Western Cape Government, I should like to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this latest attack on Metrorail security staff, who find themselves in increasingly more danger in the line of duty. It is unacceptable that Metrorail staff are targeted in such a way by criminals that are set to disrupt the provision of a safe and reliable Metrorail service.

I have met with Metrorail Regional Manager, Richard Walker, who has filled me in on steps that he will be taking in an attempt to address this immediate situation. The Western Cape Government will support Mr Walker and PRASA in whichever possible way, to ensure that the critical train service remains operational, and that the commuters of the Western Cape are not adversely affected, particularly at this time when many are returning to both work and school from the holiday period.

We appeal to PRASA and to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to work together as a matter of urgency, to decisively address criminality that threatens to severely cripple the rail network, and disrupt the provision of a necessary rail service to the commuters of the Western Cape. We must not allow criminal elements to deter us from our most pressing objective of ensuring that train service remains in operation.