Investigations into Germiston train fires begin
Law enforcement agencies are investigating after two Metrorail trains were burnt at the Germiston train station, east of Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Another train, travelling from Germiston to Springs was also torched damaging only the seats.
Over 5 000 commuters were affected by train delays.
The Passenger Rail Agency has put the cost of the damage at R6.5 million.
Gauteng Metrorail spokesperson, Lillian Mofokeng, says they are also doing their own investigation.
“Unfortunately at the moment, we have not made any arrests. However, we are working and following up with law enforcement agencies who have leads to try and get to the perpetrators. We suspect that it was angry commuters on the trains. We do have cameras working outside the train station but not inside the trains. So we are following footage to try and understand what could have led to this.”
Prasa spokesperson Nana Zenani has condemned the incidents, labelling them as acts of criminality.
“I mean it’s arson no matter how you look at it. The destruction of state property but also a threat to passengers and our drivers. We are appealing to people to say we have limited trains. Already the services we are running are overburdened and any destruction of one single coach is fewer trains that we have to serve our people.”