T rains travelling from Soweto and Vereeniging to Johannesburg in the morning were delayed. Train 9341 from Naledi in Soweto to Johannesburg’s Park Station was delayed for more than an hour. It stopped at every station between New Canada and Park Station, sometimes for more than 15 minutes.

Angry and frustrated commuters called their employers to notify them of the delay.

Themba Langa, who said he still had to catch a taxi to Sandton from Johannesburg city centre, blame d Metrorail.

“This is the kind of service we are paying for. We now know that trains are not going to run properly when it rains. They do not bother to tell us in advance when there is going to be a problem. Some of us buy seasonal tickets. They have no respect for customers,” Langa said.

Wits Metrorail spokesperson Sibusiso Ngomane said disruptions were caused by thieves who stole a cable near New Canada station. He said this caused traffic lights not to function.

“Operators had to control trains manually as theft affected signal panels . This caused delays of up to 62 minutes.”

He said a similar problem occured in Germiston, East Rand, and affected trains going to Pretoria, Thembisa, Springs and Daveyton.

“I appeal to the public to report these cable theft criminals to the police because in the end it affects them,” Ngomane said.