The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda has commended the police for their sterling work in arresting one of the suspects implicated in the torching of a train in Umlazi, south of Durban two weeks ago.
The incident, which was sparked by train delays saw members of the community vandalising PRASA property including a ticket office, four cars, and four train coaches. Fearing for the safety of passengers and its workers, PRASA suspended trains in the province for a week.
The provincial government through MEC Kaunda intervened and convened a series of meetings with all rail stakeholders including commuters and law enforcement agencies to devise a safety plan for the resumption of train operations. The plan included tracing the suspects who were implicated in the damage of PRASA property.
Intensive investigation by the police resulted in the arrest of a suspect over the weekend in uMlazi. He is expected to appear in Umlazi Magistrate Court tomorrow.
Kaunda said that the arrest will send a clear message throughout the country that the government will not tolerate lawlessness, which results in the damage of state property. “We always appeal to members of the community that if they want to raise their concerns, they must do so within the prescripts of the law instead of resorting to violent protests,” said Kaunda.
He urged members of the community, particularly rail commuters to join hands with government and expose criminals elements who are hell-bent on destroying trains that transport thousands of people, the majority of whom are working class.
Meanwhile, plans are at an advanced stage to reinstate train operations in the north coast corridor (Stanger) after they were suspended due to the safety of the rail network.