https://www.miningweekly.com

Transnet security guards to be made peace officers

16th August 2022

By: Darren Parker

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has given approval for State-owned Transnet’s security officers to be granted peace officer status as Gazetted on August 5, elevating them above mere security guards and giving them powers comparable to the Metro Police.

In terms of Chapter 2 of the Criminal Procedures Act, Transnet’s security officers, as peace officers, will be allowed to make arrests and assist the National Prosecuting Authority with prosecutions. They will also have the authority to search premises, facilities and people, complete dockets to ensure suspects are charged correctly and assist with basic investigations.

It is believed that this initiative will lead to an improved security response and increased law enforcement to protect the rail and pipeline network, which are economically essential infrastructure.

Transnet Freight Rail has experienced an exponential increase in cable theft incidents over the past five years, which has resulted in increased tonnage and revenue losses, as well as massively increased repair costs.

More than 1 500 km of cable has been stolen, representing a 1 096% increase in the length of cable stolen over the past five years, with a net financial impact of R4.1-billion.

Although Transnet Pipelines (TPL) has seen a reduction in the number of incidents over the past financial year owing to security interventions that have already been implemented, there has been a spike in the last few months, which it has attributed to the sharp increase in the price of fuel products.

Over the past three years, TPL has seen an increase in the loss of volume of about 30-million litres, amounting to net financial impact of about R1.1-billion for the period.

Transnet security officers will go through rigorous training in compliance with the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority requirements.

Upon the successful completion of their training, candidates will be awarded a Certificate of Competency by the National Police Commissioner and receive South African Police Service appointment letters along with Transnet appointment identity cards.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The content you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION