Theft and vandalism resulted in losses of almost R2 billion for Transnet during the 2025/26 financial year, despite a 7% decline in the number of incidents.
Group chief executive Michelle Phillips said during the group’s annual financial results presentation that Transnet had recorded approximately 5 870 theft and vandalism incidents across its operations during the year.
Responding to these attacks diverted employees and resources from operating trains and moving freight, she said.
Transnet also spent R3.7bn on security during the reporting period, according to chief financial officer Nosipho Maphumulo.
Maphumulo described the expenditure as a necessary investment but said partnerships that helped reduce the cost would benefit both Transnet and its customers.
The group would continue investing in security and technology and working with law-enforcement authorities to protect its infrastructure, Phillips said.
The security burden comes as Transnet works to improve the performance of its freight network.
Rail volumes increased by 4.9% from 160.1 million tonnes to 167.9m tonnes during the year but remained below the group’s target of 180m tonnes.
Transnet invested R23.3bn in capital expenditure during the reporting period. About 85% was allocated to replacing and refurbishing existing assets, while 15% went towards expansion.
