The safety and integrity of the country’s rail services are dependent on resources and staffing.

Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, was responding to a question from the Economic Freedom Fighters in parliament.

The party has called for railway police to be employed to address the vandalism and attacks along the country’s railway lines.

Minister Mbalula says that 2000 police officers are already assisting with security, and they’re trying to find more to fill the gaps.

Meanwhile, the National Transport Department is working with the Western Cape government and City of Cape Town to reopen the Langa line.

The housing shortage in the province has led many people to take up residence on the disused railway tracks.

But Minister Mbalula says that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA is working to secure the rail network.

He says that relocating people from this informal settlement has proven the biggest challenge.

This as the owners of land considered to be suitable for human settlement are not willing to sell their properties.