Train commuters, or actually arsonists, burned two train carriages at the Germiston station due to the late schedule of trains over the previous two days.
After the Cape Rail Service has already been weakened due to the numerous fires on train carriages, it has now also flowed over into the Transvaal, and the fear is that the Germiston will be the first of many such incidents in the northern part of the country.
The damage amounted to more than R6 million and a shortage of water at the station prevented staff from extinguishing the fire in time.
Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape also suffered major damage after protesters set the municipal office and clinic on fire, apparently because they were dissatisfied with the high unemployment in the area and allegations of nepotism at the city council.
A protester was wounded after police attempted to restore order with rubber bullets. One person is injured, and subsequent unconfirmed reports are that he has died in hospital.
The fear is that it can encourage residents to further violent protests and that the police, for fear of prosecution, will do even less to stop the violent protests.
Read the original article in Afrikaans on Die Vryburger
South Africa Today – South Africa News
