SAPS and Transnet team up to combat vandalism and theft

TRANSNET has welcomed the arrest of 17 suspects in separate incidents nationwide, as an indication of the firm commitment to reducing vandalism and the theft of essential infrastructure across their network.

- THOBEKA NGEMA

SAPS and Transnet security personnel executed a multi-pronged security and intelligence operation that led to arrests in six separate incidents between September 9 and 10.

“These arrests demonstrate our strong resolve in curbing the prevalence of vandalism and essential infrastructure theft within our network. It is also indicative that our focused approach towards enhancing our stakeholder collaboration and holding our security service providers to a higher performance standard is beginning to yield positive results,” said Transnet group chief executive Michelle Phillips.

In Swartkops, Gqeberha, security officers reported five suspects in the vicinity of several locomotives. SAPS and the Rapid Response Police Unit (RRPU) were alerted, leading to the apprehension of five suspects on four different locomotives. They were subsequently taken to the Swartkops police station.