Gautrain service between Park Station and Rosebank will be restored on Monday after the operator worked “around the clock” to fix the railway tunnel.
The service had to be suspended on Sunday after the tunnel was pierced by a borehole drill at residential flats in Killarney, Johannesburg, leading to ground and water seeping through.
Drilling took place without the necessary permission at a five-storey residential complex, according to the Gautrain Management Agency and the City of Joburg.
Albi Modise, spokesperson of the Gautrain Management Agency, told TimesLIVE Premium that work to fix the damage was still under way and it was anticipated that the section would be reopened on Monday.
Modise said the tunnel had been “pierced” by the drill and that work on the tunnel was happening underground.
The activity had not been approved per the requirements of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act, according to the agency.
Modise said the repair work was undertaken by the operator, Bombela.
“They are working around the clock ... today the portfolio committee on transport in the province also visited the site,” Modise said.
Above the surface, drilling took place on the premises of a block of flats on 9th Road. The area has been cordoned off with tape.
A caretaker at the facility referred TimesLIVE Premium to the Astrodon property management company that manages the residential property.
Approached for comment, Mariphie Mthembu, from Astrodon, told TimesLIVE Premium: “Unfortunately, we don't have anything to say.”
Mthembu then immediately hung up the phone on Thursday afternoon.
Gautrain is an 80km, high-speed commuter rail system in Gauteng that links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park and OR Tambo International Airport. Parts of the rail network run below ground in tunnels, while the rest of the network runs above ground.
City of Joburg spokesperson Virgil James said a law enforcement officer has visited the site.
“The matter has been referred to Region F JMPD commanders and bylaw team in consultation with the municipal court prosecutors to issue a Section 54 summons, which is a non-admission of guilt notice,” he said.
James said such a notice in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act would be a fine that carries no admission of guilt. Summons will follow and a fine amount will be determined by the court.
“The city has no record of application [written consent] submitted in respect to the drilling of the subject property, therefore this is a contravention,” James said.
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