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- Train stations on the southern and northern lines in Cape Town were forced to shut their doors due to cable theft and vandalism.
- Rail commuters were stranded as Metrorail made efforts to repair the damage and bulk up security.
- This marks the second time train services have been disrupted in two weeks.
Rail commuters in Cape Town were stuck on Wednesday as trains came to a halt again following cable theft. Trains were affected on the southern and northern lines, GroundUp reports.
Metrorail spokesperson Zinobulali Mihi said the disruptions between Bellville and Tygerberg train stations were due to cable theft and vandalism.
Affected stations included Bellville, Tygerberg, Eersterivier, Maitland and Bay Junction.
Metrorail was repairing the damage and putting security guards at strategic points, Mihi said.
Meanwhile, Metrorail was operating a shuttle service between Kraaifontein and Wellington, and between Fish Hoek and Salt River stations.
This is the second time in two weeks that services have been disrupted. On 26 January, Metrorail's cables were stolen in Paarden Eiland, leaving commuters stranded.
Commuters GroundUp spoke to said the train service should step up security.
"The stealing of Metrorail cables for copper has long been a problem, and by now security should have been beefed up and prioritised," said Eric Harford from Bellville.
WATCH | Cape Town's copper cops crack down on metal thieves and dodgy scrap yards
Another commuter, Max Dyani, said:
Dyani takes a taxi from Nyanga to Bellville to board a train to his work in Kraaifontein.
He said it was unfair that he and other commuters had to be stranded for hours with no explanation.
"Metrorail does not care about its own customers. They should prioritise guarding infrastructure," he said.
