While investment is being made into the ports, a concerted effort needs to be made to tackle the criminal elements that impact on the logistics chain, warns Quintus van der Merwe, senior partner at law firm Shepstone Wylie, who heads up its customs and international trade and transport departments.
He says that during a recent Shepstone Wylie function in Richards Bay, mention was made of criminal syndicates operating in the area targeting not only logistics, but also potentially deliberately sabotaging rail to ensure that cargo stayed on road.
In support of these concerns, the latest BSI Consulting and TT Club Cargo Theft Report, published in April 2025, states: South Africa ranks among the top countries globally and leads the African continent in cargo theft incidents, highlighting the significant economic impact of this persistent issue.'
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