Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has suspended operations on South Africa’s crucial heavy haul Ore Corridor due to cable theft.
Staff are working around the clock to repair the line, and police are investigating the incident, TFR said in a statement issued on Wednesday night.
TFR suspended all mainline operations on the corridor, which stretches up to 861 km from Sishen in the Northern Cape to the Port of Saldanha in the Western Cape.
The theft occurred near Olifantshoek in the Northern Cape.
“A power failure was reported on the line at 23:50 on Tuesday night, and upon inspection, the team confirmed that 11 spans of catenary and contact wire were stolen,” TFR said.
“The security teams were immediately activated and are working with law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and customers to curb this security threat.”
TFR added that it was in regular contact with customers and stakeholders on the status of the line repairs.
“Our employees will be working around the clock to get services back to normal and get customers’ cargo moving as soon as possible,” the logistics utility said.
