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The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has committed to temporarily relocate people living on the Central line by the end of the calendar year at a cost of R179 122 427,00.

An estimated 5195 households and illegal structures are erected on PRASA’s Central Line rail reserve. This includes:
• 1254 structures erected in Langa;
• 3688 structures erected in and around the Philippi Station and;
• 253 occupants living at the Khayelitsha Station.

So far, 2648 households have temporarily been moved through Operation Bhekela with the City of Cape Town providing basic services.

MPP Derrick America says: “Despite numerous attempts by the ANC to shift blame for the relocation of the Central Line Dwellers, we welcome the delayed shift to action. The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape remains sceptical about whether PRASA and the ANC National Government will meet their end-of-year deadline, given that this deadline has been repeatedly postponed since the central line's closure in 2019.

Train travel is undeniably the most affordable mode of transportation, and as the cost of living continues to rise, the reopening of this railway line has become more crucial than ever. The DA firmly reiterates its call for passenger rail services to be decentralised and entrusted to competent municipalities.”

Issued by Derrick America, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Mobility