Stop and search focus

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.

‘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:

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