Transnet Continues to be Plagued by Cable Theft Syndicates

[John Ashworth]

Transnet Freight Rail Continues To Be Plagued By Cable Theft Syndicates

On 5 March 2022, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) arrested two males for being in possession of stolen copper cables in Bramley Johannesburg. Working on a tip-off, officers searched a property and discovered copper belonging to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and PRASA with an estimated value of over R3 million. The suspects have since appeared in court. Whilst this is another victory in the fight against crime, TFR continues to be plagued by highly organised cable theft syndicates. Some 395km of cable was stolen in 2019/2020, 700km in 2020/2021 and more than 1000 km thus far in the current financial year ending 31 March 2022...