By Johnathan Paoli
Gautrain services between Park Station and Rosebank have been indefinitely suspended due to illegal drilling on private property in Killarney, resulting in soil and water seepage into the underground tunnel.
Gautrain CEO Tshepo Kgobe, Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistic, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, and Thulani Mdadane, Head of Department (HOD), visited the affected section of the rail network to assess the situation firsthand.
Diale-Tlabela condemned the unauthorised activity as unlawful, and urged residents to adhere to due process when conducting construction or making land-use changes near critical transport infrastructure.
“We condemn the act and warn that such activities pose serious safety risks and violate the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act (GTIA), which prohibits construction or drilling near critical transport infrastructure without proper authorisation,” said Diale-Tlabela.
The Gautrain is an 80-kilometer higher-speed commuter rail system serving Gauteng, South Africa.
It connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park, and O.R. Tambo International Airport.
The rail network includes underground tunnels and above-ground sections.
Investigations have revealed that the leakage resulted from unauthorised borehole drilling conducted by a private property owner above the tunnel.
Gautrain officials have similarly highlighted that such kinds of unauthorised drilling is extremely dangerous, not only for the integrity of the Gautrain system but also for public safety.
Kgobe urged all residents to immediately cease any illegal drilling activities that could jeopardise essential transport networks.
In response to the disruption, Gautrain has announced that it will take legal action against the responsible property owner.
Kgobe confirmed that the agency is working closely with law enforcement and city authorities to hold the offenders accountable.
The GTIA strictly prohibits unauthorised construction activities that interfere with or endanger public transport systems, and violators could face hefty fines or legal penalties.
To assist affected passengers, Gautrain has implemented a bus shuttle service between Park Station and Rosebank, with the agency assuring commuters that additional buses will be added if necessary to minimise inconvenience.
Gautrain Management Agency spokesperson Albi Modise said the agency appreciates customers’ patience and understanding as we continue investigations and implement remedial measures to restore full Gautrain services.
Meanwhile, train services on other Gautrain routes, including those connecting Pretoria, Johannesburg, and OR Tambo International Airport, remain fully operational.
The agency apologised for the disruption and assured commuters that regular updates will be provided via its website and official social media platforms.
Engineers are currently assessing the extent of the damage, but a timeline for repairs remains unannounced.
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