Metrorail has blown R340 000 on firearms to protect its drivers, technicians and infrastructure.
The Daily Voice is in possession of an invoice from an arms and ammunition company, billing the rail agency R337 249 for handgun and shotgun manuals, ammunition and 355 sessions at a shooting range.
Metrorail spokesperson, Riana Scott, confirmed: “Our technicians and train drivers are being escorted by armed guards currently in areas where circumstances require it.
“The procurement of appropriate material for our protection services department is not unusual and in line with their operational mandate to protect employees, commuters and infrastructure.”
Metrorail and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (Prasa) infrastructure and staff have come under attack in recent years.
Commuters have also suffered due to crime.
On Tuesday, chairperson of the Western Cape provincial legislature’s standing committee on public works and transport, Nceba Hinana revealed there had been 32 murders and 114 incidents of assault recorded between 2015 and 2017 on trains and railway stations in the Western Cape.
One of those victims, train driver Piet Botha, was shot dead at Netreg Station while he was waiting for a train in July 2016.
SHOT: Driver Piet Botha killed at Netreg
“Thirty two murders and 114 incidents of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm were recorded between 2015-2017, on trains and railway stations in the Western Cape,” Hinana said.
“This shows that only 12 arrests were made for murder cases, while assaults only yielded 59 arrests. Only 37.5 percent of murder reports have led to arrests being made, and 51.7 percent of incidents of assault resulted in arrests.”
While Metrorail was doing what it could to protect its infrastructure and staff, crime prevention was the core mandate of police and not Metrorail,” Scott said.
“Under current circumstances, Metrorail Western Cape does not have the luxury of concentrating on its core mandate i.e. the provision of commuter rail service to communities. It is called to account by various stakeholders to account for the impact of these issues on the rail service,” she said.
Scott said Metrorail was within its rights to arm and train guards.
“It is not unusual for Prasa to procure arms; its protection services employees must undergo appropriate regulatory training as well as refresher training. Our procurement processes comply with policy and Treasury regulations. Metrorail Protection Services is mandated and resourced to protect commuters, employees and assets within rail precincts.
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“Even if Prasa/Metrorail were to secure trains and stations 100%, the commuters would still be left vulnerable en route to and from their homes, shops [and] schools.”