Poice say they’ve nabbed the arsonist who set alight two trains at Cape Town Station, which resulted in R40 million in damages.
The arsonist was caught red-handed on camera leading to an arrest last week.
Gerald Jaftha, 47, of Valhalla Park made his first appearance at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court yesterday where he was charged with arson and damage to property.
Details of his capture on April 14 remain sketchy.
Police believe he set alight 10 carriages on April 9 at Cape Town Station’s platforms 11 and 12.
About 750 metres of overhead wiring on the platforms were also damaged; no one was injured.
State prosecutor Dail Andrews informed the court Jaftha had been caught on video and was facing serious charges.
He said: “He set alight Cape Town Station, 10 train carriages was damaged, costing R40 million.
“The State will be opposing bail. The accused was caught on video footage.”
Jaftha is expected to be back in court on April 25 for bail information.
Last Thursday, another train was set alight in a separate incident in Kraaifontein which left four carriages damaged.
On Friday, an apparatus case was set alight in Philippi while cables were stolen in Salt River, and another train set alight in Esplanade.
The arson attacks left hundreds of commuters stranded, and comes on the back of a strike by Metrorail workers.
Extra Golden Arrow and MyCiti buses have been deployed to help ease traffic congestion.