2024/09/13 |
Kempton Park
Thank you Programme Director Deputy National Commissioner: Policing, Lt General Mosikili Deputy National Commissioner, Crime Detection, Lt General Sibiya Acting Deputy National Commissioner: Support Services, Lt General Dimpane All SAPS Divisional Commissioners present
Transnet Group Chief Executive, Ms Michelle Phillips and your All senior members of the SAPS Members of the media Ladies and gentlemen Good afternoon and thank you for joining us this afternoon, as the SouthAfrican Police Service and Transnet sign a Memorandum of Understanding to foster partnership and collaborate to address high levels of crime associated with Transnet network infrastructure. Criminal activities in this sector undermine economic growth of the country and create national security threats and risks. We recognise that there is a need for integrated crime-combatting strategy to address the high crime levels and protect Transnet infrastructure. The objectives of our cooperation are to:
It is important to note that crime-free railway environment is conducive for economic growth, due to inter alia, reliable rail infrastructure and investment in the economy. The SAPS, in line with its mandate as per Section 205 of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, renders a visible policing service within the rail environment, inclusive of Transnet, to address safety of commuters, freight and the rail transport system. In addition, we intend to continue to ensure the safety of essential infrastructure by bringing to book those who tamper, damage or destroy infrastructure related to energy, transport, water, sanitation and communication services. 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 coordination 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. This is especially because Transnet pipelines service two key industries in the economy, which are fuel and gas. The business handles an annual average of 16 billion litres of liquid fuel and more than 450 million cubic metres of gas at about 250 valves, transverses five provinces which are KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West. Fuel theft from the supply lines pose a serious challenge to Transnet which is responsible for managing the pipelines. Consequently, these acts of criminality undermines the authority of the state. Since the year started, there has been a total of 17 reported cases of fuel theft at Transnet pipelines, 11 of these cases have been reported in Guateng, five in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Mpumalanga. These pipelines were mostly targeted and fuel was loaded into trucks. This indicates there are organised crime syndicates which are well-resourced to achieve their criminal intent. Our continued efforts to fight crime in this sector has led us to working together with our colleagues in Zimbabwe, to deal cross-border crimes a blow. In this regard, nine tankers carrying approximately 360 000 litres of fuel from South Africa were intercepted in Zimbabwe through intelligence which we provided to that country. We therefore recognise that there is a need for better coordination which will ensure we are a couple of steps ahead of criminals who target Transnet infrastructure and the resources it is entrusted with. Ladies and gentlemen, with the signing of this MOU, we mark a significant milestone in our collaboration with Transnet as part of our ongoing commitment and efforts to ensure Transnet infrastructure is jealously protected for the greater good of all people in South Africa. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and achieving impactful results with Transnet. I THANK YOU.
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