The South African rail network is under attack and it is costing lives as the impoverished gather what scraps they can.
A man paid the ultimate price this afternoon, Friday, 7 August, after fleeing security officers who had suspected him of stealing copper cables.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the man was part of a group who were allegedly removing infrastructure from the railway line close to Hamberg station.
They were approached by security guards who then chased after the men as they fled. There are suggestions that shots were fired in the chase but the man was fatally injured while trying to scale a palisade fence.
The rest of the men escaped.
The exact cause of death is still unknown and will be investigated.
Florida Community Police Forum Chairperson, Prashan Sukhu, lamented the circumstances that have given rise to these types of incidents, saying, “This highlights the desperate need for PRASA to attend to the guarding and protection of their assets”.
Florida police have yet to issue an official response and that will be published when forthcoming.
