The Hawks Unit received a tip off that suspects were involved in cutting off railway tracks and selling them as scrap metal. On Tuesday, members of the unit raided a scrap metal dealer in Springs on the East Rand. Here two trucks loaded with cut railway tracks were discovered.
The unit members also opened a container which was loaded and ready to be transported to one of the harbours. Inside, they found scrap metal.
But upon further inspection, our members found railway tracks hidden under the scrap metal.
The Hawks have established that the railway tracks are exported to Dubai and countries in Asia, mostly China. Two suspects were arrested for theft and being in possession of stolen property. We expect that they will appear in court on Thursday. We cannot overemphasise how dangerous it is to tamper with railway tracks. This risks having trains derail and causing loss of lives and injuries.
Media Contact:
Colonel McIntosh Polela
Tel: 012 400 6584 / 6579
Suspects arrested for cutting up and stealing railway tracks
