Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Road/Rail Freight

Cable theft is TFR’s biggest post-strike stumbling block

25 Oct 2022 - by Eugene Goddard
Rudzani Ligege, Container Line executive at Transnet Freight Rail. Source: Eugene Goddard
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

A total of 257 trains were stuck on Transnet’s rail network when union members went on strike recently, but the utility has already managed to clear 234 “staged locos” in its efforts to restore operations.

The remaining 23 stationary trains that have not yet been moved to clear the entire system are all between the Mooi- and Lions River section of the Container Line (CL), a cable theft hotspot and major headache for Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).

Speaking at a media presentation about TFR’s recovery process in the aftermath of the strike, CL managing executive Rudzani Ligege said they had only managed to move about five ‘staged locos’ – the term for a stationary train – since the strike had ended.

The primary reason for setbacks experienced in unblocking the section between Mooi- and Lions River, Ligege said, was because of “continuing cable theft”.

“It has really impacted us and we haven’t been able to run our trains successfully.”

During the strike, he said at least 12 kilometres of cable had been stolen from this section, and since the strike had ended there had been at least three to four incidents of criminal interference with the section of the CL.

He said although TFR was still in the dark about why the Mooi-Lions stretch of the corridor was such a problematic area for crime, it had been established that 55% of cable theft that hampered rail movement in Transnet’s entire system happened on this stretch of the line.

The escalation of crime during the strike dominated questions posed to TFR after its formal presentation, and the logistics utility was hard-pressed to address the perception that the parastatal was overwhelmed by crippling problems such as cable theft.

Marius Bennett, general manager for security and forensics at TFR, said it was not true that they sat back while knowing full well that South Africa’s rail network might be exposed to additional risk.

He said it was anticipated that there would be an escalation of criminal attacks on TFR’s network, especially on the CL.

“We put in a lot of additional resources to make sure that we were able to deal with not just picketing and the strike. However, in this specific area, cable theft has gone up and we have increased our drone security.”

Stepped-up efforts to combat crime on the CL between Mooi- and Lions River include aerial surveillance by chopper, beefed-up security, task teams, observation posts, and closer cooperation with the South African Police Service.

Intensified security operations in the area have so far resulted in an 18% reduction in cable theft and a 32% reduction in the length of cable stolen.

Bennett said almost every day arrests were made, including that of an underground kingpin.

“We are putting in a lot of effort to close in on syndicate crime and close down the market,” he said.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Port of Lüderitz's infrastructure under significant strain

Africa
Sea Freight

It comes at a time of increased volumes of oil and gas cargo, as well as bulk and infrastructure project cargoes.

2 hours ago
0 Comments

West Africa marks historic ULCV milestone

Imports and Exports
Logistics

The Port of Lomé has undergone a decade of rapid transformation to reach this point.

Today 12:15
0 Comments

China Airlines rolls out wider digital integration

Air Freight
Logistics
Technology

WebCarg is linked to 7LFreight’s rate management system for dynamic pricing and instant bookings.

Today 12:00
0 Comments

Police seize counterfeit goods worth R400m

Crime
Imports and Exports
Logistics

A raid of a freight warehouse in Durban led to the recovery of branded clothing and kitchenware.

Today 11:45
0 Comments

Looming food security crisis over SA’s Brazil poultry ban

Imports and Exports

Meat importers warn that the local industry will not be able to plug the gap left by the ban.

Today 11:45
0 Comments

Institute conference set to focus on regional connectivity

Events
Logistics

The event brings together transport and logistics professionals from across the continent.

Today 10:15
0 Comments

Punishing duties backfire on US economy

Economy
Imports and Exports

“South Africa must follow its own fiscal policies rather than the US Federal Reserve.” – Ricardo Smith, Absa chief investment officer.

Today 10:15
0 Comments

RFA warns of imminent B-BBEE codes risk

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The association plans to meet with the transport minister to discuss how the codes will hurt the industry.

Yesterday
0 Comments

OBITUARY: Trade giant Pat Corbin passes on

Logistics
People
Trade/Investment

Over the years, Corbin was intrinsically involved in international trade, finance and logistics.

Yesterday
0 Comments

South Africa cements position as leading apple exporter

Imports and Exports

South Africa is growing its lead over rival Chile since surpassing it in 2023.

Yesterday
0 Comments

DRC-Walvis Bay trade route in development

Road/Rail Freight

The new corridor will be 235km shorter than the current Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor and up to seven days faster.

Yesterday
0 Comments

MSC confirms weekly continuation of SA-US direct sailings

Sea Freight

In total, eight vessels will be deployed for the express service to America's East Coast.

Yesterday
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Namibia 23 May 2025

Border Beat

BMA steps in to help DG and FMCG cargo at Groblersbrug
21 May 2025
The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
12 May 2025
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

JNR Seafreight Export Controller

Tiger Recruitment
Johannesburg (Linbro Park)
28 May
New

Supply Chain Specialist

Lee Botti & Associates
Cape Town
28 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us