A special train coach serving as a SAPS Rapid Rail Unit Mobile Police Service Centre was handed over to the SAPS Rapid Rail Unit on 8 March 2019. It was handed over by the head of main line security of PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa), Ms Zodwa Macozoma to the commander of the EC Rapid Rail Unit, Colonel Elias Senatle.
The Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie attended the handing over and visited and inspected the new coach which is fully branded with SAPS insignia.
The coach is also fully equipped with the registers, safes and holding facility (cells), as well as a kitchen and two sleeping compartments for the SAPS members manning the coach.
The coach will be traveling with the train on the main line between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, and will function as a portable SAPS Community Safety Centre.
The main purpose of this joint partnership and initiative is to combat and prevent crime that takes place on the train while traveling between the two destinations of Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg. Cases registered and arrests made on the train will be handed over and transferred to the relevant station areas through which the train moved when the crimes were committed.
General Rabie applauded the initiative and added that “SAPS will continuously strive to streamline and upgrade its service delivery to the communities we serve. The community traveling by train on this specific train will benefit from the extra policing and will enjoy a safe and secure passage to their relevant destinations.”
South Africa Today – South Africa News
