Some 5000 shacks need to be removed from the tracks, so that Cape Town’s Central Line can fully operate.

The Philippi area is seen as a major block as close to 4400 informal structures are located there.

The Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) indicates that the identification of land for their relocation, the servicing of that as well as community and public engagement needs to be done by other stakeholders. Prasa’s CEO Hishaam Emeran says there is a willingness from these residents to relocate.

In the interim the rail agency is trying to install temporary fencing near the railway line so that contractors can start the rebuild infrastructure.

Emeran was speaking as train operations on the Nyanga to Cape Town route on the Central Line have been restored.