The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in the Western Cape confirmed this week that some train stations along railway lines in the province are not fully operational as a result of theft and vandalism.
To address this matter, the region has embarked on what they call a “phased recovery and modernisation programme” across the Western Cape network. This will include infrastructure rehabilitation, corridor stabilisation and enhanced security deployments. The agency says stations are reopened once minimum safety, signalling and operational standards are fully restored and sustainable.
TygerBurger recently visited the De Grendel Train Station, Parow North in Cape Town – one of the train stations significantly impacted by theft and vandalism.
According to one resident, since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and subsequent lockdown, operations at the train station has not been the same. Trains no longer stop here, brick paving on platforms have been removed, copper cables have been stolen, while bathroom buildings and other infrastructure have been damaged and vandalised. Vagrants have also set-up camp directly opposite the once busy train station.
Prasa said it is aware of the situation, but added that there are currently no “active vandalism incidents” reported in the area. They said the damage observed at the station dates back several years, primarily during the Covid-19 period and the subsequent phase when the region experienced limited on-site security presence following the termination of security contracts in line with the public protector’s recommendations.
Despite this, residents are fed-up with their non-operational train station.
In September 2025 the local Parow North Ratepayers Association wrote to Prasa and Raymond Maseko, group regional manager, outlining their concerns over the continued closure and deterioration of the train station. The station has remained non-operational since 2020, and its prolonged inactivity is having a significant negative impact on resident’s safety and quality of life, the association wrote.
The absence of active rail services has resulted in increased vandalism, theft and other criminal activities in and around the station. Armed robberies have been reported in the vicinity, heightening fears among commuters and residents, the letter reads. The location has also become a gathering point for the homeless, which has created additional social challenges that their community must regularly navigate, it continues.
The association said, beyond compromising safety, the station’s closure removes an essential public transport link. Re-establishing rail services would not only restore convenient commuting options, but also deter the illicit activities that thrive there, the letter reads.
Their sentiments were echoed by Roger Cannon, Ward 2 councillor. Cannon confirmed the extent of the damage and said since 2020 there has been attempts to remove the camp set up by vagrants in the area.
He said that the City of Cape Town’s Displaced Persons Unit (DPU), Metro Police and Law Enforcement regularly clears the area, but that the vagrants return soon afterwards.
Prasa Western Cape said they are aware of the grievances.
“We are aware of community concerns regarding the deterioration of specific facilities and acknowledge that residents have lodged complaints. Community feedback forms part of our ongoing corridor assessments and recovery planning. Engagements with relevant stakeholders continue as we prioritise areas based on operational readiness, available funding and security risk mitigation,” said Mihi.
Prasa confirmed that rail operations between Cape Town and Bellville are currently provided primarily via the main line corridor. The main line services Salt River, Maitland, Goodwood, Tygerberg and Parow. Its said the section of the line servicing stations such as De Grendel, Monte Vista, Avondale, Oosterzee and Century City forms part of the broader central line recovery programme.
“Due to extensive vandalism, theft of critical rail infrastructure and safety concerns experienced over a prolonged period, train services are presently not stopping at De Grendel and Avondale stations. The damage has included theft of copper cables, destruction of ablution facilities, vandalism of buildings and illegal occupation within and around station precincts, all of which have rendered safe passenger operations unsustainable at this stage,” said Mihi.
Prasa said it notes with concern the continued challenges relating to vandalism and illegal encampments in certain rail reserves.
“Infrastructure protection remains a priority and we continue to work in coordination with law enforcement agencies and other spheres of government to address criminality affecting rail assets. However, issues relating to unlawful occupation and vagrancy within municipal jurisdictions require a coordinated, multi-stakeholder intervention beyond Prasa Western Cape’s areas of responsibilities.”
Mihi said at present, the area is supported through contracted security deployments, comprising two security officers assigned to day shifts and two to night shifts, as part of ongoing infrastructure protection measures.
The residents association requests that Prasa provide them with an outline of the approval recovery or rehabilitation plan for the De Grendel Train Station, a realistic timeline for each phase of the restoration process, including projected reopening and interim safety or maintenance measures Prasa intends to implement to protect the precinct until full operations resume.
Prasa said it remains committed to restoring safe, reliable and dignified rail services across the province and that updates regarding infrastructure recovery and service reinstatement will be communicated as implementation milestones are achieved.
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