The launch of a new Rail Enforcement Unit to improve security on local trains has been delayed to the end of this month.
Following a deal between the City of Cape Town and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), the unit of 100 Law Enforcement officers are to board trains to help protect commuters but the launch has been delayed twice.
On Thursday, officers led by Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, planned to board trains at Cape Town Station, but the launch was delayed after they were informed Transport Minister, Blade Ndzimande, will launch the project on 29 October.
“The agreement with Prasa says they were supposed to start in September, then it was postponed to 1 October and then today (Thursday) we have been informed now the minister will do the official launch on 29 October,” says Smith.
“In the meantime, we are ensuring officers have acquainted themselves with the platforms and trains they will be working on. We are ready.”
Commuter Dawood Hansen, 60, who uses the train to go to Mitchells Plain and Wynberg says he can’t wait for the new unit.
“The trains are so unsafe and there is basically no security. One night I was on a train from Lentegeur and it just stopped between two stations and I had to run for my life. I think these new officers are good, so we can feel safe again.”