Floods, lightning hit newly refurbished Naledi line
Metrorail in Gauteng says the Naledi to Johannesburg corridor has had to temporally closed due to flooding and a suspected lighting strike.
The western part of Johannesburg was hit by heavy thunderstorms and heavy downpours from Thursday night into early Friday morning.
The new line was supposed to be officially opened by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Friday morning.
However, the Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (Prasa) said the launch had to be postponed due to the damage to the line.
Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng says it’s not known how long the line will remain closed.
"The Naledi train service is not able to operate we have suspended it due flooding challenges that we are experiencing in the Soweto. For the safe operational of trains we are unable to continue with the service until further notice our technicians are working to attain safeness of the infrastructure before we can confirm when we can resume.
"The cables on the line were struck by lightning this morning. electricity has been switched off on both lines for safety reasons. Naledi commuters are advised to seek alternative transport until further notice."
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