2 up for theft of train wagon wheels

Zim Now Writer

The National Railways of Zimbabwe security has arrested two suspects caught cutting wagon wheels worth US$23 000.

The suspects were reportedly cutting the wheels into scrap metal at Hunters’ Road near Kwekwe.

The arrest follows an ambush by NRZ security, having noticed that wagon wheels from a previous derailment had been vandalised.

The two were taken to ZRP Kwekwe.

Meanwhile, NRZ has launched an awareness campaign across the country in a bid to reduce accidents involving trains.

This comes after 19 people were killed while 11 injured in such accidents between January and December 2022.

In a statement, NRZ said figures compiled by the NRZ loss control and security branch, 10 of the deaths are suspected to be suicide while nine died from accidents that occurred at level crossing points.

“The NRZ is concerned with the high frequency of accidents occurring on rail level crossing points and on tracks despite repeated awareness campaigns.

“It appears as if that trend is continuing this year, with three accidents having occurred already. The latest involving a Toyota Coaster minibus which was hit by a locomotive after failing to give way at the Paisley Road level crossing in Workington, Harare.

“There were no injuries, but the locomotive and Toyota Coaster minibus had minor damages,” reads the statement.

On January 1, a man lying on railway tracks was run over by a train at Deka Siding, Hwange in a case of suspected suicide.

On January 2, another male adult lost his leg after being hit by a train near Dorset in Zvishavane.