A swift and coordinated response by the Warden Police on Sunday morning led to the arrest of nine suspects who were allegedly caught red-handed attempting to steal 81 wooden railway sleepers near the Steel Bridge along the N3.
The incident occurred at the Kamfersdale Railway Line on the morning of Sunday, 02 November 2025. According to police reports, authorities had received prior intelligence about the planned theft, prompting them to place the area under surveillance.
A joint operation was subsequently launched, involving the Warden Police, private security companies, and Transnet security officials. The coordinated effort resulted in the suspects being apprehended while allegedly in the act of unscrewing the railroad ties. All 81 sleepers were recovered at the scene.
Of the nine individuals taken into custody, eight are foreign nationals and one is a South African citizen. All are reported to be residents of Gauteng Province.
Investigators also seized two vehicles believed to have been used in the commission of the crime: a silver-grey Ford and an Isuzu bakkie.
The suspects are scheduled to make their first appearance before the Warden Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 05 November 2025. They will face charges relating to the damage and theft of essential infrastructure.
