On 28 July, the class 6E1 locomotive hauling a northbound Shosholoza Meyl Zastron-Johannesburg train, with about 150 people on board, broke down at Welgelee in the Free State. Passengers enraged at the lengthy delay threatened the loco crew, tried to set the unit alight and broke all its windows. A following petrol-tankcar- train propelled the Zastron set to Virginia, the next manned station. Passengers then threatened to burn the petrol train and the driver set back hurriedly. Five coaches of the passenger train were then set on fire, burning them out totally and melting the overhead traction wires. No injuries were reported but damage was estimated at R9 million. Buses were arranged to carry passengers further. Single track working was instituted but further delays were caused by catenary theft at Bosrand.
Acting Shosholoza Meyl chief executive Viwe Mlenzana was quoted by the S A Press Association saying: “Shosholoza Meyl does not condone acts of violence and the public should be aware that burning of trains is a crime and the perpetrators will face the might of the law.â€
Five 10M5 Metrorail suburban motor-coaches, newly delivered ex-shops, were destroyed by fire at the Braamfontein depot in Johannesburg, early on 27 July....
