Community urged to stay away from the railway lines

TONGA – Community members are urged stay away from the railway line and ensure their children know that it is dangerous to play there.

This warning comes from Tonga SAPS spokesman Capt Mangonseni Nkosi, who recently became aware of children playing around the railway lines in Nhlalakahle.

Children can slip on the tracks, get stuck or get hit by a train. It takes several hundred metres for a fully loaded train to stop and drivers often only spot pedestrians on the track when it’s already too late.

Only cross railway lines via pedestrian bridges or relevant crossings as various extra safety precautions are taken at these areas.

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Motorists should also only cross at designated crossings. Train drivers hoot when they near a crossing in warning, ensuring anyone intending to cross are aware of their approach.

Transnet urged communities never to throw stones or other objects at passing trains or to vandalise or steal any railway equipment. This can place both the railway staff and community in danger.

In 2014, a boy died when he was hit by a train in Matsulu, while his mother was busy doing laundry in a nearby stream. The boy was playing next to a railway line, got stuck and couldn’t get free before the train hit him.

Andrea Ndlovu (56), a resident of Nhlalakahle spoke to Corridor Gazette about the situation in the community. “There is a bridge where people can cross the railway tracks. But people are careless and do not want to follow rules until something happens to someone as an example. People pass by the railways tracks carrying metals, water cans and materials that can conduct electricity. You find kids dancing on the railway and throwing stones.”

He called on the police to hold a community meeting to educate people on the dangerous of railways.