Pubdate: Thu, 18 Dec 2003
Source: Cape Argus (South Africa)
Copyright: 2003 Cape Argus.
Contact:  http://capeargus.co.za/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2939
Authors: Jophan Schonen And Myolisi Gophe

DRUG BLITZ HITS TRAINS

With an early-morning blitz today, police and Metrorail launched a fight to 
reclaim peak-hour commuter trains from druglords and robbers who stalk it 
as their turf. Community safety MEC Leonard Ramatlakane went along for the 
ride on the wild side - in which one suspect dived from a moving train to 
escape police.

Ramatlakane said the surprise raids would become a regular occurrence over 
the holidays.

He joined forces on the Khayelitsha line, where trains were stopped and 
commuters searched at Philippi station and Nolungile station in Khayelitsha.

Police seized a big haul of dagga, Mandrax and Ecstasy tablets from drug 
pushers. A well-dressed man, believed to be a drug dealer, dived out of the 
moving train through an open window at Mutual Station near Pinelands when 
police descended. He got away.

A stash of drugs was found in a bag under his seat. Commuter unit officer 
Captain Benny van Rhyn said drug-dealing on trains was one of their biggest 
headaches and fuelled other crime in coaches, including robbery and assault.

Metrorail regional manager Andre Harrison said train drivers regularly 
complained of being "smoked out" by dagga fumes seeping into their cabs. 
Van Rhyn said drug dealers were known to be regular commuters on the train.

Big pushers claimed specific trains as their turf and forced other dealers 
and their runners out to protect their captive market.

Ramatlakane, who has boasted that he "walks the talk" when it comes to 
fighting crime, said he had decided today to "ride the talk" when he 
boarded a packed train between Nolungile and Philippi stations to see for 
himself what commuters experienced.

When police, Metro security and a media contingent boarded a 
Khayelitsha-bound train from Cape Town station shortly after 4am it became 
clear why crime thrived on trains.

The coach shared by the officer commanding the operation, Director Gys 
Boonzaaier, had no lights, several doors locked or barred and many windows 
missing. At times it was so dark in the coach you could not discern the 
person next to you. Two dealers were spotted in the coach, one the man who 
bailed out of the window. The other was found with a bank bag full of dagga.

Police found at least two men carrying registered pistols, one of which was 
cocked and had a bullet in the chamber ready to be fired.

Ramatlakane said today's operation was part of the broader "Safety on 
Trains" programme he had launched two weeks ago.

"Our efforts will help the Western Cape become the safest place this 
festive season," he said.

"We will not allow an environment where there is a free-for-all exchange of 
drugs on trains.

"This operation will become a regular feature during this (festive) time 
because we want our people to feel safe as they carry their year-end 
earnings home."

Commuters were divided about the merits. Some claimed the operation was a 
waste of time and should have been held in the afternoon when the worst 
crimes took place. Others shouted at Ramatlakane, objecting to the search.

But other commuters felt it would make them safe.

l Cable theft on the Mitchell's Plain and Simon's Town lines made trains late.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman