- Vandalism of rail infrastructure has caused a telecommunications outage and delays to Cape Town trains.
- Fibre optic cables on the Diep River line were targeted by vandals, Metrorail said.
- The vandalism has meant that trains cannot be automatically controlled at the Train Control Centre.
Vandalism to fibre optic cables in Cape Town has resulted in delays across several main railway corridors.
Commuters have been advised to use alternative transport as the vandalism has resulted in a telecommunications outage that poses a safety risk to train services.
"The Western Cape passenger rail service is currently being disrupted by a telecommunications outage. The cause of the outage is a vandalised optic fibre cable on the Diep River line. The cut optic fibre has absolutely no copper inside. However, it keeps being vandalised," said acting Metrorail spokesperson Nana Zenani.
READ | Vandalism stalls trains on Cape Town's northern line
The telecommunications outage means trains in various corridors across the region cannot be automatically controlled at the Train Control Centre.
Zenani added:
Commuters have been advised to use alternative transport until the fibre has been repaired by technicians. Zenani did not give an expected timeline for the completion of repairs.
Last week, vandalism to railway infrastructure on the northern line in Cape Town caused the cancellation of several trains. The vandalism stripped the area of essential safety equipment.
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