The area along the railway line has been occupied since the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also one of the reasons for delays in bringing the train service back online.
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, as well as Human Settlements Minister Mmaloko Kubayi and Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala visited communities illegally occupying railway tracks in Langa and Philippi on Monday.
On Tuesday, two contractors were shot and wounded while they were doing repairs along the central line, reportedly between Kalksteen and Bonteheuwel stations.
Urban Mobility Mayoral Committee Member, Rob Quintas, emphasised that talks about restoring passenger rail as the backbone of public transport in South Africa had been going on for far too long.