A Transnet Pipelines employee attends to infrastructure at the utility's Multi Product Pipeline in Jameson Park
Photo by: Creamer Media
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) reports that criminals tampering with Transnet pipelines with intentions to steal petrol and diesel, have been successfully prosecuted following their arrest.
A fuel thief was prosecuted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment in the Vrede Regional Court, in the Free State, for damage to essential infrastructure; while two other fuel thieves were sentenced to ten and 15 years imprisonment in the Vosloorus Magistrates Court, on December 6.
“We commend the law enforcement agencies for the successful prosecution and incarceration of criminals set to commit acts of economic sabotage to the country,” says Nersa petroleum pipelines regulatory member Muzi Mkhize.
“We further plead with municipalities and landowners on which critical infrastructure traverses to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to earnestly protect both public and private infrastructure against acts of criminality and vandalism, as this results in dire consequences for the country.