Operations on the rail line connecting South Africa’s iron-ore hub in the Northern Cape province to the west coast have come to a halt as a result of power cable theft. The company responsible for the rail line has activated security teams and is collaborating with law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and customers to address this security threat. Dedicated employees are working tirelessly to restore normal services and ensure the timely movement of customers’ cargo.
This recent incident marks the second critical corridor to be impacted by theft in the past month. In a separate occurrence, the corridor linking the Port of Durban to the City Deep station in Johannesburg experienced a severe capacity reduction due to the cutting of overhead power lines.
These acts of vandalism compound the challenges faced by Transnet, the company overseeing the rail network, which include a shortage of spare parts for locomotives involved in coal transportation. Earlier this year, Transnet declined an offer from Kumba to assume control of the profitable iron-ore rail line, which has struggled to meet volume demands.
Despite these setbacks, efforts are underway to mitigate the impact and restore the functionality of the rail line, ensuring the continued transportation of vital resources in the region.