DURBAN - THE theft of fuel through tampering with Transnet Pipelines is on the increase in KwaZulu-Natal, with the police working overtime to apprehend the culprits.
Durban Transnet Pipeline yesterday confirmed that there was an attempted fuel theft on Saturday which was prevented by the tactical response team.
Transnet Pipelines chief executive Michelle Phillips said that in the early hours of Saturday, the tactical response teams prevented the theft in progress on the Multi Product Pipeline between Durban and Heidelberg, in the Mooi River area.
Phillips said the offenders managed to get away, adding that a fuel tanker and a bakkie were impounded and the Hawks and the SAPS were investigating.
“The swift reaction by the tactical teams averted disruption in the security of supply to the Gauteng market, and any potential environmental damage.”
Phillips said this week alone, there had been three fuel theft incidents on the pipelines, which were being investigated by law-enforcement authorities.
“The pipeline is classified as essential infrastructure, therefore tampering, or colluding to tamper is a Schedule 5 offence in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, Act 18 of 2015.”
Phillips said the Hawks, SAPS Crime Intelligence, State Security Agency, the National Prosecuting Authority and local SAPS services would ensure that any offender would be charged and prosecuted “as per the act”.
“As the pipelines traverse many rural, semi-rural and urban areas, we continue to appeal to any persons living near the pipelines or driving past, especially at night, to report any suspicious activities such as bakkies or fuel tankers in the area of the block valve chambers or near our pipeline markers.”
Phillips said Transnet Pipelines appealed to all role-players in the industry, including petroleum retailers and members of the public, to refrain from buying fuel from unregistered traders.
Saret Knoetze, spokesperson for Transnet Pipeline, said the organisation would be increasing tactical response to prevent fuel theft.
“We are constantly reviewing and updating our tactical response plans and security measures to ensure security of supply of petroleum products.”
Recently, there was an attempted fuel theft at Horseshoe Road in Clairwood that claimed the lives of three people after a fire broke out.
In another incident, LieutenantColonel Nqobile Gwala said nine men were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure at a Transnet tunnel in Amajuba on Saturday.
“Police officers from Charlestown were patrolling the N11 in the Charlestown policing area. While they were busy patrolling, they spotted a suspicious person at a Transnet tunnel in Amajuba. The police went to investigate and they were joined by security officers.
“The suspect was seen cutting overhead rail cable from the line within the tunnel. The suspect was placed under arrest for damaging and tampering with the essential infrastructure.
“Further investigation led police to a taxi where eight more accomplices were arrested. Police seized stolen copper which weighed 180kg. The recovered copper is valued at R350 000.”
Gwala added that the arrested suspects, aged between 28 and 43, would also be profiled to check if they were linked to other similar cases that were reported in Charlestown and surrounding areas.
“They are appearing before the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court on charges of tampering and damaging the essential infrastructure. The matter will be investigated by the Hawks.”
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