A 14-year-old pupil from De Waveren Primary School in Ruyterwacht has been taken in for questioning in connection with arson that destroyed 18 train carriages worth R61million at Cape Town station.
This after a fellow schoolmate recognised the identikit released by Metrorail of two suspects sought in connection with the blaze in the early hours of November 28 reports the Cape Argus.
A school teacher, who was alerted on Monday afternoon, immediately went to the learner's house.
A member of the Elsies River Community Policing Forum said: “The learner’s grandmother told the teacher that her grandson told her he was one of the two guys who allegedly set the train alight.
“The learner also told his grandmother that he was threatened by the second suspect from Delft, who said if he didn’t co-operate his family would be hurt.”
Shortly after the conversation, the teacher took the laaitie to Elsies River police station from where he was
transferred to the Cape Town police station, where he was questioned by investigators.
Apparently the pupil also told cops the whereabouts of the second suspect and where he lives in Delft.
The pair are to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court once they have been charged.
Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said they heard rumours about an arrest, but didn’t get any official confirmation from the police.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said: “Be advised that SAPS detectives are hard at work following up several leads pertaining to the burning of 18 train carriages in Cape Town on Thursday, November 28.
“Thus far, no one has been charged in connection with the incident.”
Train arsonists destroying Cape Town’s public transport system could face imprisonment of up to 20 years.