Two ‘assaulted’, one hospitalised after Metrorail brawl

Two Metrorail commuters have been admitted to hospital following an alleged assault on board on February 15.

Chairperson of Tshwane rail traders association Paul Mohale said he was on board the train number 9117 from Bosman station to Mamelodi around 14:00.

“I was holding a packet of peanuts in my hand.

I was suddenly approached by a Prasa protection service guard.”

He said the guard asked him why he had been eating on the train.

Mohale replied that the package was sealed.

“I was just playing with them in my hand.”

He said while he was talking to the first guard, another had became violent.

“There was another guard (not even in uniform) who began to beat me without questioning me.”

Mohale claimed both guards assaulted him.

“From what I recall, I was beaten from Mandela Drive bridge until Devenish train station in Mentz Road, Muckleneuk.

It was horrible, however my assault did not end there as I was further tossed out the train, when it came to a stop.”

He said fellow hawkers attempted to come to his rescue.

“I ran towards them in pain as I was unable to defend myself.”

He pleaded with the guards to tell him why they were assaulting him but never received a response.

He said guards fired shots and demanded he return to them.

“In fear, I acceded to their request along with other hawkers,” he said adding that the guards had then assaulted his fellow hawkers.

“One was pushed off the platform, fell on the tracks and broke his leg.”

Mohale said some hawkers lost their stock in the process.

“The hawkers were angry and picked up bricks in retaliation.”

He said however no brick was flung towards the guards.

“They held them for protection,” he claimed.

He said he was detained then driven to various police stations.

“I was taken to Sunnyside, Bosman and Pretoria central police stations – all refused to open a case.”

He said the guards drove him back to Sunnyside at 20:20, where he would “spend two days in the cells without charge”.

“I was charged on Friday evening and eventually went to court where the case was dismissed.”

Mohale said he had since opened a counter case for assault of grievous bodily harm at Sunnyside police station.

“I also request Prasa to also make the footage available for the public to see the inhumaneness I suffered.”

Injured hawker Vusi Mbowane, currently still receiving medical care at Steve Biko hospital, said he was amazed at how the guards handled the incident.

“I was capturing everything on my phone. One of the guards pushed me from the platform on to the tracks and my foot was injured.

“I’m badly injured and will be receiving my second operation.”

Prasa spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said Metrorail was aware of an altercation between security officials and hawkers.

She said the scuffle was due to commuters on board being without valid tickets.

“When approached, they started attacking security officials and instigating other hawkers to disobey the guards’ orders.

“Two guards were assaulted, and as a result two hawkers were arrested.”

She said Metrorail was not aware of commuters that were assaulted by the guards.

“All allegations that the altercation was a result of commuters eating on board are untrue.”

She said eating was not allowed on board the trains and that guards were allowed to carry official firearms while on duty.

“No official is allowed to use violence on a commuter though.”

Sunnyside police spokesperson confirmed a counter case of assault was opened.

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