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
Africa
Economy
Road/Rail Freight

Transnet paints dire picture of crime

02 Sep 2022 - by Staff reporter
 Source: Oupa Mokoena/African News Agency.
0 Comments

Share

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

Fuel supply drying up because of theft and vandalism, the passenger rail network collapsing due to rampant crime, cable theft and massive income loss all make for a dire picture that emerged at the Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure Roundtable in Johannesburg.

According to Transnet CEO Portia Derby, the logistics utility’s pipeline network recorded 118 vandalism and theft cases in 2021.

This year there have already been 61 cases.

So severe were the attacks on the state-owned company’s (SOC) fuel supply network that Gauteng’s pumped petrol and diesel supply could dry up, Derby warned.

She said this was especially noticeable when global oil pressures caused a spike in the price of fuel.

The financial burden on Transnet to fix tampered infrastructure and clean up fuel spills, such as April’s incident when a breached valve near Harrismith caused thousands of litres to gush into the Meul River, had only added to the SOC’s woes, Derby said.

She added that about R400 million a year had to be spent on broken infrastructure and environmental response efforts.

Then there’s the nagging issue of cable theft, a scourge that leads to R2 billion in direct annual loss of income for Transnet Freight Rail.

Income lost to date from chrome and coal exports compromised because of cable theft stands at R30bn, Derby said.

An estimated 1 500 kilometres of cable was stolen over the last 12-month period.

Then there’s the passenger rail network, a public transport system in such a state of disrepair because of out-of-control crime it’s on the verge of collapse.

Of the total network of 2 300 kilometres, about 1 000 kilometres are now without signalling cable because of theft.

Where once this network had been supported by 590 stations, only 129 remained, the CEO of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA, Hishaam Emeran, told the Roundtable.

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.

Transnet union to issue 48-hour strike notice if deadlock remains

Logistics

Untu says a revised wage offer is expected on Monday, failing which workers will down tools.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Shipwreckers returns for first 2025 event

Logistics

The event has previously raised over R100 000 for charity.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

SaferStops Association calls for commitment to truck driver wellness

Road/Rail Freight

Hundreds of drivers, fleet operators and industry experts gathered for the 2025 Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Non-mineral economy gaining traction in Namibia

Logistics

Collaboration has been a key driver of the country’s recent progress, said Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua, chief executive of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group.

19 May 2025
0 Comments

Shippers warned to monitor cargo closely during Untu strike

Logistics

Logistics company advises shippers to communicate concerns about urgent or time-sensitive cargo.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

GNU targets livestock auctions after China bans SA beef

Imports and Exports
16 May 2025
0 Comments

New tariff protection for South African wheat hits a snag

Imports and Exports

Itac request for comment for stronger tariff protection for locally produced wheat only protects brown flour.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Creecy outlines logistics sector reforms

Logistics
Road/Rail Freight

The government is continuing to collaborate with original equipment manufacturers to ensure that spare parts for essential machinery can be sourced.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Suez Canal offers toll reductions for large containerships

Logistics
Sea Freight

“We are monitoring developments moment by moment and assessing the changing dynamics.” – Maersk.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Oil spill response in Red Sea under the spotlight

Sea Freight

Workshop focuses on equipping officials and responders with the skills and knowledge to manage and mitigate major marine pollution incidents.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

President Ramaphosa to meet Trump in US

Economy
Other

The engagement will focus on a range of bilateral, regional and global matters of mutual interest.

16 May 2025
0 Comments

Belgium port strike on the cards

Imports and Exports
Logistics

Port operator PSA Antwerp will suspend truck export deliveries ahead of the strike.

16 May 2025
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