Six suspects were arrested on December 6 following a tampering incident on the Transnet Pipelines multiproduct pipeline, near Harrismith, in KwaZulu-Natal.
Transnet Pipelines' security service provider Bidvest Protea Coin activated a joint operation with members of the Provincial Operations Command Centre across Mpumalanga, Free State and Gauteng to capture the occupants of a fleeing vehicle. The vehicle was spotted near Standerton and stopped. All four occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
The drivers of two tankers spotted near the crime scene attempted to flee the scene. During the chase, one tanker's brakes failed, leading to it catching ablaze. The second tanker was seized, and both drivers were accordingly arrested.
The team searched the nearby safe house and found incriminating evidence which may lead to further arrests. The suspects appeared in court on December 12, Transnet said.
"This brings the total number of arrests in this financial year to 68, which sends a strong message to all perpetrators tampering and/or colluding to tamper on our pipelines. Transnet Pipelines has adopted a zero-tolerance to product theft and our appointed service provider will continue to apprehend perpetrators," it highlighted.