Transnet and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost the fight against theft and vandalism of the ports and rail operator’s infrastructure.
The primary purpose of the agreement was to strengthen collaborative efforts with the police to fight these crimes, Transnet said in a statement on Friday.
“Enhancing security at Transnet’s key operations is paramount for maintaining operational efficiency, economic stability and national security. The strategic partnership between Transnet and SAPS is a step in the right direction in efforts to turn the tide against the disruptive incidents of theft and vandalism,” the ports and rail operator said.
Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips, said the agreement represented a “critical step forward in securing our country’s essential infrastructure and combating organised crime”.
“Our partnership with SAPS has already yielded significant successes. One notable example is the dedicated support that SAPS provided to Transnet Pipelines where specialised resources helped us combat the theft and damage to our fuel infrastructure.
“By working together, we can ensure the continued reliability and efficiency of our critical infrastructure.”
SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said the agreement would ensure joint implementation of “optimised policing” and security for critical and essential infrastructure.
He said it would ensure the effective deployment of police personnel in conjunction with existing private security resources to minimise duplication of functions.
“The protection of critical and essential infrastructure is a priority for the SAPS, and a partnership such as this one is greatly welcome as it will enable better co-ordination of resources between the SAPS and Transnet.
“Damage to Transnet infrastructure constitutes economic sabotage, and in line with our mandate, we must act against any form of attacks on Transnet infrastructure,” said Masemola.
