No trains were running between Johannesburg and Vereeniging via Midway on Friday after Metrorail suspended the service, spokesperson Brenda Motau said.
”There are no trains running and there will be no shuttle service either,” said Motau.
”We have done our best to inform commuters about this since last night [Thursday]. No incidents of violence or the burning of trains have been reported yet and we are hoping that nothing happens today.”
By Thursday afternoon the railway line was closed following the torching of 28 coaches.
The line had been damaged to such an extent it was unsafe and difficult to use, said Metrorail chief executive Lauriette Modipane.
She said the torching of trains on Wednesday night effectively rendered most parts of the line difficult to operate as the overhead traction equipment, the optic fibre cables and other infrastructural equipment were damaged.
She added that the safety of employees had also prompted the closure of the line and warned that Metrorail would have to resort to ”more drastic measures” if more incidents like Wednesday’s occurred, but did not elaborate.
On Tuesday in Vereeniging four carriages were burnt at the Residensia station because of delays caused by cable theft.
Vaal Rand police spokesperson, Maria Mazibuko, said the police were at stations to ensure that commuters did not resort to violence.
”We haven’t had any reports about violence or burning of trains at the stations so far.”
”Police are there to keep the people calm, but we don’t expect any problems because commuters have been informed that there will be no trains or shuttles. It was on the news, on TV, on flyers,” said Mazibuko. – Sapa