EWN reports that over the past week the City of Cape Town’s rail enforcement unit has made several arrests while conducting a series of inspections at scrap yards, bucket shops and other hotspots.  

Seven suspects were nabbed in Woodstock, as well as in the Claremont and Rondebosch areas, for crimes such as theft, attempted robbery, malicious damage to property and the possession of stolen property.  Thirteen metres of copper cable and a saw were among the items confiscated.  Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said he believed the unit's efforts to curtail metal theft would over time resonate in a more stable and reliable rail service.  In October, 100 officers were deployed to the city’s rail network.  Since the deployment of the rail enforcement unit, there have been no arson attacks on trains in Cape Town.  Previously, a spate of train fires caused mayhem on the network.

• Read the original of Lauren Isaacs’ short report at EWN

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