Millions to be spent on fixing crime-ridden rail system in Cape Town
A massive security operation was unveiled on Friday for Cape Town’s collapsing and crime-ridden railway system. Steps agreed to at a summit in Woodstock between the City of Cape Town‚ the Passenger Rail Agency of SA and the Western Cape government included: • A 1‚500-strong security unit costing R45m a year; • Two bulletproof walls to seal off a 15km stretch of Cape Town’s central railway line‚ which has been closed since the start of 2018 due to security concerns; and • Drones — to be deployed "‘within days" — to monitor criminal activity on railways. Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for transport‚ Brett Herron‚ said: "A lot still needs to happen but I think we have achieved our goal for the summit by agreeing on a plan of action that can be implemented as soon as possible." The central railway line has been shut since January 9 after the murder of a security guard in Khayelitsha‚ and on Thursday members of the United National Transport Union threatened to halt northern line tr...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.