Criminal activity was continuing to impede service delivery at Transnet, the freight and rail parastatal said in a statement yesterday.
“Over the past week Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has experienced a surge in cable theft and vandalism across our rail network.
“These security incidents have a severe impact on our operations, resulting in significant delays in our train service.”
By way of explanation, TFR has experienced 152 incidents of cable theft in just 14 days, resulting in the loss of more than 40 kilometres of cabling.
Said TFR: “These incidents often appear to be well coordinated and planned to cause maximum disruption.
“The theft and vandalism of our infrastructure is often carried out by large groupings of 20-25 people, who are often armed and not hesitant to use force to commit these crimes.
“This recent spike in incidents is quite alarming, the peak being six incidents within a 14-hour period on one of our corridors.
“Criminals are targeting overhead and signalling cables which are essential for the efficient running of our trains.
“The impact of these theft incidents has resulted in TFR having to suspend trains, causing delays in the delivery of goods.”
TFR added that safety was also of significant concern as missing and damaged infrastructure could pose danger to the driver of the train as the system became unstable.
It also said that derailments were often a direct consequence of the theft, as was the case in an incident in Pretoria on Wednesday.
“Luckily, no one was injured in that incident,” TFR said.
Chief executive Sizakele Mzimela said the infrastructural effect on the state-owned company’s ability to function optimally was severe.
““TFR is simply under attack from brazen criminals seeking to undermine not only our business, but our customers and our county at large.
“While we are deploying all our resources to fight this scourge, it is clear that we need a long-term, sustainable industry solution to this challenge.
“These incidents are crippling to our business and hinder our ability to deliver to our customers. We urge anyone that may have information to come forward to their nearest police station.
“Transnet also encourages members of the community to report any suspicious activities using an anonymous hotline number 0800 003 056, or email transnet@tip-off.com, or to call the Crime Stop hotline number on 086 00 10111.
“The public is also reminded that they may remain anonymous and that all information will be treated with confidentiality.”