[ad_1]
Since the busiest line in the Western Cape was closed in October last year, the rail system has been exposed to vandalism and cable theft and during the COVID-19 shutdown period, people invaded the rail lines.
The informal Lockdown settlement has sprung up in and around the Metrorail center line in Philippi, Cape Town. Image: Kaylynn Palm / EWN
CAPE TOWN – The state of South Africa’s rail system has become a thorn in the side of the authorities, with ongoing damage to rail infrastructure and, more recently, land grabbing on and around the tracks.
One of the often named sick lines is the Cape Town Central Line, which is a key artery into the city, transporting hundreds of thousands of commuters to and from work and school.
And as President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government continue to make promises about modernizing and restoring commuter rail networks, the stretch of the central line that heads to the poor and working-class area of Philippi has become home. of hundreds of people.
The informal settlement is called Lockdown.
It is a peaceful and quiet community, with children playing, adults doing laundry, and others keeping warm around the fire.
But the situation is far from normal.
This community has settled on the roads of the center line, erecting fences, cultivating gardens and even keeping pets.
#Center line #CapeTown The line was closed in October last year, since then parts of the line have become home to residents of Philippi.
PRASA says it could take up to a year and a half to relocate them. @kaylynnpalm pic.twitter.com/bom3RzsiWg
EWN reporter (@ EWN reporter) November 9, 2020
Since the busiest line in the Western Cape was closed in October last year, the rail system has been exposed to vandalism and cable theft and during the COVID-19 shutdown period, people invaded the rail lines.
Like many structures here, Mickey April’s is marked with the letters ‘LD’, short for blocking.
He said that he knew the location was dangerous, but had no choice but to live in the settlement.
“I would love for the government to give them adequate housing, with water, electricity and adequate toilets. The toilets we demand are our own manufacture; we drill holes ourselves and then use them.”
Their neighbor, Sandiso Moyikwa, said that while they knew there were no trains on this line, they couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“We don’t feel safe because we don’t have space. We have children and they play outside and we play indoors.”
#Center line PRASA has partnered with the city of Cape Town and the Western Cape government, there is a multidisciplinary committee and an intergovernmental implementation protocol. KP pic.twitter.com/H0H7keRaSd
– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) November 9, 2020
Phumzile Dibhongo moved to this area in April after a fire in Imizamo Yethu left him homeless and helpless.
He said he just had nowhere to go and that he couldn’t pay the rent.
“I saw people making their houses here, that’s why I’m here because I need a place. Renting is not good because sometimes work stops and that’s a problem.”
While the province’s rail authorities are working hard to try to restore the line sooner rather than later, the South African Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) said plans were underway to relocate people living here.
Prasa said it could take up to a year and a half to relocate them.
Metrorail’s Riana Scott: “The process of appointing a team of consultants to assist Prasa with designs and monitoring of construction by various contractors has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.”
But if past experience is of any use, it will likely take more than 18 months to relocate the people who settled here.
STRIPED NETREG STATION NAKED
The Lockdown informal settlement problem is not the only obstacle facing Prasa as it seeks to restore Cape Town’s ailing central line.
The COVID-19 shutdown has led to massive vandalism along the line, with stolen cables, missing platform pavements and stair railings.
One of the affected train stations is Netreg.
This has left hundreds of travelers stranded and forced to spend more money on alternative transportation.
Transportation Portfolio President Angus McKenzie: “There is absolutely no more wiring, it has been completely disassembled and removed so there is nothing left. Not a window left, even paint has been stolen from the walls.
McKenzie explained that long-time commuters are now faced with a closed center line.
“They end up using two-thirds of their salary for buses, taxis and it is not just one trip, now they turn into two taxis to Athlone and then another to Mowbray and another bus from Mowbray. It has affected people economically.”
#NetregStation #Center line The chairman of the transport portfolio and ward councilor, Angus McKenzie, explains the state of the Netreg station. 🎥 @kaylynnpalm pic.twitter.com/C2PzK58aXK
– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) November 9, 2020
He said the station that was once a hub of activity is now a haven for crime.
“It has become a haven for gangsterism, drugs and crime. All the conduit cables are gone. I think there is more debris than anything else that works.”
Prasa said work had started to repair the damage and ensure the station was operational sooner rather than later.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
