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 made nine arrests, conducted 79 inspections and issued fines to the value of R3 800. Read more below:
Members of the REU’s deployment conducted 396 stop and search actions over the past week. Seventy-nine hot spots were also visited.
Actions | Number | Detail |
Arrests | 9 |
|
Joint operations | 19 | |
Confiscations | 4 | |
Impoundments: Metal |
|
|
Liquor | - | |
General | 2 |
|
Section 56 notices to appear in court | 3 | |
Section 341 notices (fines) | 2 | |
Traffic by-law: Unlicensed Motor vehicles (fines) | 2 | R1 000 |
Air Quality By-law (fines) | 1 | - |
General by-law | 3 | R2 800 |
Hot spot and scrap yard Inspections | 79 | |
Land invasion | 2 | |
Stop and search actions | 396 | |
Public assistance actions | 22 | |
Attended complaints | 6 |
‘While we welcome the additional arrests of perpetrators of cable theft and vandalism, not a single scrap dealer or bucket shop owner has yet been arrested. These are the brains behind a thriving largely cash-based industry that abuses the dire circumstances of individuals for their own profit’ said Metrorail Western Cape Regional Manager Richard Walker.
‘The inspection of 79 hot spot-areas and scrap yards is commendable. This sends a strong message to those dealing in scrap metal that we’ll take action against dealers who’re selling stolen infrastructure that is needed to operate our urban rail service. Our urban rail system is Cape Town’s most valuable public transport asset. We’re working with our partners to get the rail service back on track, and I want to assure commuters we will succeed,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.
‘There cannot continue to be a market for criminals to profit from their attacks on rail infrastructure. We must work together and do all we can not only to protect rail infrastructure from criminal elements seeking to pillage the rail network, but also to eliminate the avenues that allow the crime to be profitable. We are pleased with the strategic focus that the REU has exhibited in carrying out its duties, and remain confident about the work that it is doing to deter crime,’ said Minister of Transport and Public Works and Chairperson of the RMTT, 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.
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
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.