Three alleged cable thieves may have been fleeing patrolling residents in KwaMashu when they were hit and killed by a train.
|||Durban - Three alleged cable thieves may have been fleeing patrolling residents in KwaMashu when they were hit and killed by a train on Wednesday.
Four men, according to Metro Rail spokeswoman, Thandi Mkhize, had been crossing a railway line.
A Metro Rail employee, who cannot be named, refuted claims by some residents that the men had been tied to the tracks.
“Two trains had been travelling in opposite directions... the men dodged one train but did not realise another was on the other track,” he said.
The employee said it had been too dark for the driver to see what the men had been carrying.
“The driver pulled on the brakes to try to stop the train, but it was too late.”
Mado Mbasa, of the community police forum, said four men had been spotted with electricity cables by members patrolling the neighbourhood just before 6am.
“The men started running and those patrolling gave chase. The men fled on to the railway line and were hit by a train,” she said.
Mbasa said cable theft was a problem in the area and one of the men hit by the train was identified as a troublesome criminal who allegedly stole cables, which he sold at the KwaMashu Hostel where he lived.
“He would also come around B-Section selling goods stolen from the hostel to residents,” claimed Mbasa.
When the Daily News arrived at the scene, spatters of blood, flesh and bones could be seen on the railway line. A crowd of mainly schoolchildren had gathered to watch as the remains were removed.
A bag found near the line contained a wallet, cards and what seemed to be house keys.
Police spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane, said an inquest docket had been opened.
“It is alleged that they were knocked by the train. Copper wire was found next to them,” he said.
Zwane said police would also be investigating the claim that the residents were involved.
Mkhize declined a request to interview the train driver, saying he was traumatised.
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