The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) security personnel has removed 30 homeless people from the rail premises between Woodstock and Salt River in Cape Town on Tuesday, 8 February.
PRASA said in a statement that the operation was to prevent encroachment on the section as it is planning to close off its networks to prevent further encroachments on its rail network.
“Encroachment on the rail system is one of the biggest challenges facing PRASA and the entity will not tolerate acts that undermine people’s Constitutional right to travel safely on our rail network,” PRASA said.
Also read: Fikile Mbalula says he is satisfied with the railway upgrades in WC
The removal also comes after the Cape Town High Court granted the railway agency an extension for the lawful relocation of residents illegally occupying property along the Langa railway lines.
PRASA further mentioned that the closure of the Central Line came at a huge cost and inconvenience for the thousands of commuters who rely on affordable railway transport to get to and from work, as well as the economy of the City of Cape Town.
Also read:
“Begging in Cape Town has numbed my empathy” says local woman
Picture: PRASA/Twitter