South African authorities have arrested 26 individuals in two separate operations targeting the theft of critical infrastructure belonging to Transnet.

On 1 September, 21 suspects were apprehended at a Transnet depot in Swartkops, Gqeberha, after security personnel spotted intruders and alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS). The suspects were found hiding on the premises with bags containing copper bus bars, transformers, electrical switches, and cables—items collectively valued at approximately R350,000.

In a separate incident on 3 September, a multidisciplinary police team recovered copper cable worth an estimated R3 million at an unregistered scrapyard in De Deur, Gauteng. Five suspects were arrested at the scene.

Officers also seized homemade stoves allegedly used to burn insulation off the copper. Preliminary investigations confirmed the cable originated from Transnet infrastructure.

The five suspects are expected to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on charges including possession of stolen infrastructure, unlicensed dealing in second-hand goods, and contravention of the Immigration Act.

Transnet Group Chief Executive Michelle Phillips praised the arrests, citing them as evidence of growing success in efforts to dismantle criminal syndicates targeting essential infrastructure.

“Our work is beginning to make serious inroads,” she said, “and we will continue to focus on fighting crimes responsible for the destruction of our essential infrastructure.”

Separately, three individuals were convicted and sentenced by the Molteno Regional Court in the Eastern Cape on 27 August for copper cable theft, possession of stolen copper, and immigration violations. The case stemmed from a December 2021 intelligence-led operation in the Stormberg area, where police intercepted vehicles transporting stolen copper cable.

Each of the three convicts received 15-year prison sentences for theft and possession, plus an additional three months for breaching immigration laws. The investigation was led by the Komani-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit of the Hawks.

Transnet acknowledged the role of SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, Eskom, PRASA, and other state entities in securing these outcomes.

Written by Africa Ports & Ships and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.