NATIONAL: The South African Police Service (SAOS) have made a breakthrough against theft of state infrastructure when they arrested two people allegedly found in possession of Transnet property worth R10 million.

A multidisciplinary operation involving members of the Mount Ruth Rapid Rail Unit, Transnet and Ndevana SAPS led to the arrest of the two suspects earlier this month at Ndevana Location, outside Qonce in the Eastern Cape.

Acting on information received, the joint operational team conducted a search at a scrap metal dealership in Ndevana. Transnet officials positively identified several items belonging to the entity.

Among the items found were overhead track equipment, railway rails weighing approximately,  transformer batteries and copper.

The suspect, aged 25 and 35-years, were arrested at the dealership and charged with possession of suspected stolen property and contravention of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015.

The suspects appeared before the Qonce Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2026, where the 25-year-old accused was released on bail to allow for further investigation.

The 35-year-old owner of the scrap metal dealership was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before the same court again on 28 July 2026.