‘Commodity losses are NOT an acceptable trading hazard’

“High commodity theft remains a high security risk in South Africa and is increasing all the time,” says Smith. “High value commodities that have commercial value, that are easy to sell and not easy to trace remain targets.” Kelly agrees. When transporting high value commodities many transporters ensure they have escorts when travelling, he said. “Copper, for instance, remains a big target in any one of its formats – from the ore to the finished product be it a cable or a wall hanging. There is a huge market for it and it is sold very quickly after being taken.” Smith advises anyone transporting minerals – nonferrous metals or any other valuable item – to take on the services of a reputable risk management company to analyse the risk and supply solutions. “The industry still perceives losses as an acceptable trading hazard in Africa and even builds the cost of possible losses into their pricing structure,” says Smith. “I believe that by applying proper risk management solutions, cost benefits to the industry can be huge.” According to Kelly it is important to remember that the theft of commodities is a highly organised business. “There are major syndicates at play who know what they want and how to get it.” He says some areas can best be described as the “Bermuda Triangle” where a truck disappears never to be seen again. “This is not called organised crime for nothing. They have the means to find the tracking devices, to scramble them and to hide a truck for days on end. It is very sophisticated.” A worrying trend, says Kelly, is that some 70% of copper hijackings that have been taking place have occurred south of Beitbridge. “There is a problem in our country and we must address it. Of course we advise our truck drivers to only stop at designated truck stops where there is enough light and to not leave trucks and loads unattended – but the criminals seem to stay ahead of the game.” He says what has been increasing of late are incidents where date rape-type drugs have been used. “We have had several incidents where truck drivers remember having a cup of coffee and waking up the next day with their entire load gone, or the truck standing on bricks – or even in some cases they are found lying in a ditch. This is increasingly happening at truck stops.” Kelly and Smith advise transporters of high value commodities to ensure that their vehicles are being tracked, to remain in contact with their employers and to avoid hot spots and roads known for being targeted. Says Kelly,” Everyone is doing their best to ensure the safe transportation of goods, but there have to be meaningful partnerships between the private sector and the investigators of crime as well as the prosecutors if we really want to make a difference. It starts by fixing the small things.”