Using top technology, drones and helicopter teams, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) security guards and police have arrested suspects allegedly linked to the recent spate of vandalism of essential rail infrastructure on the North Corridor export coal line.
TFR said security guards had arrested a group of five suspected saboteurs near Argent, close to the Eskom Kendal Power Station, outside Ogies in the early hours of Friday, August 25.
“In the past 24 hours, TFR experienced three separate crime attacks in this area, resulting in train disruptions and significant losses to essential rail infrastructure,” TFR said in a statement on Friday.
The rail utility embarked on a new strategy of ‘outcomes-based security’ (OBS) solutions on August 1, which, it says, gives its security service providers the operational flexibility to deploy innovative, intelligence-led technology in support of modern crime countermeasures.
“OBS is a significant departure from the conventional, defensive and reactive security approach traditionally offered in South Africa and is seen as the best chance for TFR to disrupt the scourge of criminality, vandalism and sabotage that is the single biggest threat to rail operations throughout the country,” TFR said.
The Ogies arrest came after three weeks of intensive intelligence efforts in the area, including aerial surveillance, ground reconnaissance teams and tactical operations targeting high-value suspect groupings.
TFR said close cooperation between security service providers safeguarding its north and central corridors had played a key role in this arrest. The team works in close cooperation with the SAPS Directorate Priority Crime Investigation and other government agencies. More arrests are expected over the next few days.
So far, along the Cape Corridor, the OBS service provider has arrested 91 suspects and recovered almost 70% of overhead track equipment. There are currently 32 criminal cases in the legal system.
“According to the service provider, syndicates involved in the theft and vandalism of TFR critical infrastructure are heavily armed and unafraid to open fire on response teams,” TFR said.
The security firm’s efforts have so far led to a 90% decrease in criminal incidents in the Northern Cape, 85% in the Eastern Cape and 60% in the Western Cape.
The service provider arrested 17 suspects linked to theft, vandalism and damage to rail infrastructure on the central line.
“Most of the arrests came in the past 10 days. The service provider used ground tactical support, drones and the latest state-of-the-art technology to track down the perpetrators,” TFR said
Along the North East Corridor, the service provider has made 23 arrests to date, through the deployment of a Critical Infrastructure Unit (CIU) and a chopper and technical team.
“The CIU works with various stakeholders, including the SAPS division Rapid Rail Policing Unit (RRPU) and Community Policing Forums. Additionally, a clampdown on disruptive operations targeting scrapyards to check for compliance with the support of the RRPU and provincial SAPS has also been rolled out,” TFR said.
Four scrap dealers have been issued with warnings for non-compliance. “Intelligence gathered since the OBS rollout points to a significant correlation between rail crime attacks and corrupt commercial interests that profit from the flow of revenues throughout TFR’s operational environment. When rail infrastructure is vandalised, stolen or sabotaged it needs to be repaired immediately to enable trains to run, and the money spent effecting these repairs creates an incentive for illicit forces that have established their criminal enterprise within TFR’s environment,” the rail operator said.
“This is part of the complex crime challenge that TFR faces, and the OBS initiative is to wrest control back from subversive criminal forces.”
