Neighbourhood watch members want the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to break down or fix its derelict building at Athlone station, saying that crime spiked in the area since “criminal elements” moved into the building.
A representative of the Klipfontein West Cluster, comprising of neighbourhood watches from Hazendal, Rondebosch East, Sybrand Park, Park Estate, and Pinelands, said armed robberies, house break-ins, theft out of vehicles, car thefts and cable thefts have escalated at an alarming rate in these areas. According to the representative, who spoke under a pseudonym, *Gordon Alexander, crime spiked in the greater Athlone area because of the criminal activities at the Prasa building.
“The place is neglected and all sorts of criminal activity is taking place there. We have seen school-going children buying drugs from there. E-hailing taxi drivers, pensioners and even Shoprite were recently robbed. The thugs control who can access the steps there, so people rather risk their lives crossing the railway line, than to use the subway. When we complain to the City of Cape Town, they pass the buck, saying it’s not their property. Prasa is not compliant. They don’t even maintain their fences or clear the bushes,” he said.
A few years ago, the building became derelict after a fire broke out there. The building was apparently never barricaded, and homeless people moved in. Criminals used this as an opportune time to move in as well, according to the neighbourhood watch cluster members, who spoke to the Athlone News anonymously, for safety reasons.
The members say the problems have been coming on for years, and every time they demand action, the City brings out the “rule book”.
“There has been no noticeable action taken. We have been in constant communication with the City, the ward councillors and Prasa. So many emails were sent, but there just seems to be no effort,” Mr Alexander said.
In February, ward councillors Zahid Badroodien and Rashid Adams conducted joint site inspections with Prasa officials at hot spots along the Cape Flats line, which include Athlone, Crawford and Lansdowne train stations.
Said Dr Badroodien: “These site visits were part of a number of engagements in order to assess the extent of the work required in order to make the stations, subways and railway safe for all commuters. Particular focus was placed at the Lansdowne station subway where gates were proposed in order to close the subway. Also, the surface crossing in Newton Road, Athlone, where we were joined by Ashiek Manie, the principal of Al-Azhar High School, who requested the walkway be closed for the safety of his school children and to prevent the dumping. The Athlone train station and subway also were noted for urgent intervention.”
Prasa spokesperson Zino Mihi, said refurbishment plans for Athlone station have started.
“Consultants have been appointed. The next process is to complete designs and then appoint the contractors. It is anticipated that the contractors will be appointed around November 2023,” Ms Mihi said.
Athlone SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Zita Norman confirmed that regular patrols are being done at the train station, and that there have been raids done at the derelict building.
Meanwhile, Mr Manie said his pupils deserve better than the unhealthy environment they are currently in.
“There is a surface crossing just outside our school, and it is disgusting how people dump there illegally. We want that crossing to be permanently closed, as it attracts certain ‘elements’ (who use the crossing as a shortcut after committing crime) and the illegal dumping causes a stench and attracts rats,” he said.
