Angered at the absence of trains in Vereeniging on Tuesday, commuters torched four carriages at the Residentia railway station, police said.
No-one was injured in the attack, said Superintendent Maria Mazibuko.”The situation has been brought under control. Police are at the other stations to ensure that commuters are calm,” she said.
Trains were not running at the Vereeniging, Stratford, Residentia and Lenasia stations on Tuesday following the theft of a cable from in Viljoensdrift, Metrorail spokesperson Brenda Motau confirmed.
There were, in addition, 30 minute delays on those trains which were running and there was only one line operational while Spoornet replaced 4 000 sleepers, Motau said.
Metrorail said there had been five incidents of commuter vandalism — involving R150-million — in the past three months.
”…It has become increasingly apparent that Metrorail will find itself with no trains if this vandalism trend continues,” Motau said.
She said the service on the Johannesburg-Vereeniging line had been revised with immediate effect.
”Certain trains will be short-turned at Houtheuwel, whilst other trains will run through to Vereeniging and Johannesburg until further notice.”
Buses would also operate between Vereeniging and Houtheuwel to supplement the train service. – Sapa