Prasa encourages residents to report theft and vandalism to their property

Thanks to criminals, Benoni Station, in Luton Road, has become an eyesore for nearby residents and motorists who regularly drive past the old building.

The station has also been identified as one of the many Gauteng Metrorail properties currently experiencing an alarming increase in cases of infrastructure vandalism and theft, including the theft of overhead electrical lines and substations and the vandalism of station and depot buildings.

Benoni Station Supermarket and Takeaway owner Mohammed Halam, whose store is based right next to the station, said due to vandalism and theft he had to get electricity from an alternative source to keep the lights on at his store.

He added he has witnessed the vandalism at the station on a daily basis and reported this to the police on more than one occasion.

Former rail commuter for over 40 years Farouk Araie wrote a letter to the City Times about the state of Benoni Station.

Driving past Benoni Station angered him due to the ‘monumental dismantlement and utter destruction of a railway station that was once dubbed the jewel of the East Rand’.

‘Nothing was spared by those whose orgy of destruction has left thousands of commuters without an affordable mode of transport.

The sheer scale of destruction at the station is mind boggling – it is a combination of mindless looting and sabotage,’ Farouk wrote.

‘Vandalising state institutions funded by the taxpayers should be taken in a very serious light.’

He added that those found guilty of these heinous crimes should be severely punished within the ambits of the law, to deter saboteurs, who cost the state billions of Rands to repair the damages caused to the state’s critical infrastructures.

Metrorail responds

Lillian Mofokeng, spokesperson for Gauteng Metrorail, said the unprecedented levels of vandalism and theft of critical infrastructure components, along with the evident growth in the illicit trade of copper and steel on the black market, means Prasa must refocus its efforts towards providing more security manpower.

This will have to come out of their budget for passenger rail improvement upgrades, as there is no additional funding for security.

“The unfortunate part is that this vandalism and theft directly affects commuters who depend on the affordable Metrorail services to access economic opportunities across Gauteng,” Mofokeng said.

She explained that due to the vast open nature of the Gauteng Metrorail network, there are 218 stations and halts (10 classified as super core, 29 core, 49 intermediate, 48 small and 82 halts), 1 380km of rail track and 157km yards of rail network, making it difficult for Prasa to effectively secure both the stations and the rail network.

“Prasa is effectively being put in a difficult position of sacrificing its mandate to ensure it covers the entire rail network and stations with security personnel.

“Prasa has now been forced to plan for and implement, to a large extent, expensive security strategies that affect the agency’s ability to focus on its mandate.”

Mofokeng urged communities to become vigilant and help report acts of vandalism on the system to help protect passenger rail infrastructure.

“If we do not work together, Prasa’s ability to provide affordable public transportation will be in jeopardy, leaving thousands of South Africans faced with the reality of seeking alternative and less affordable public transport services.”

Prasa’s Business Intelligence, with the help of other law-enforcement agencies and the SAPS, continue to work around the clock to curb this escalating criminal activity through random and continuous surveillance and monitoring of the scrap dealerships in Metrorail operational areas.

“These efforts are bearing positive results as a number of scrap metal dealership premises have been found in possession of stolen Prasa material.

“Prasa security intelligence noted that vandalism seems especially prevalent where there is the presence of electrical wires, indicating the possibility of illicit trading in our electrical property.”

Mofokeng concluded by saying the issue of theft and vandalism should not be underestimated as it will cost Prasa millions of Rands to be able to reinstate the much-needed train service. At the same time, Prasa is currently experiencing financial challenges and when trains are not operational their revenue is also affected.

“The Metrorail market comes from mainly disadvantaged communities and with the high level of unemployment, the lack of service will, unfortunately, further strain these communities,” she said.

“Emphasis is being put on calling upon communities to continue working with Prasa and the law-enforcement agencies to report criminals so that we can save this important and affordable public transport service together.”

Report theft or damage to Metrorail infrastructure to your local police station or call the Prasa Protection Service on 011 013 0052/1/5 or 011 013 0084.

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