South Africa’s Transnet Revamps Security as Crime Hobbles Trains
- Cable theft by criminals seeking copper has disrupted network
- Company appoints five security firms to beef up protection
A security guard in Soweto.
Photographer: Luca Sola/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
South Africa’s state-owned rail network operator, Transnet SOC Ltd., has hired five private security companies in an effort to reduce chronic theft and vandalism of trains that disrupt its operations.
Transnet said it was responding to changing criminal trends through the plan, which holds the security service providers liable for protecting its freight rail operations, according to a statement Wednesday.