Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) on 1 August 2023 adopted an Outcomes Based Security (OBS) solution to combat theft and vandalism on its rail network. Contracts were awarded to five Security Service Providers (SSPs) to service TFR Corridors.

The OBS service providers will introduce the latest state-of-the-art crime fighting technologies, including early warning detection systems to combat theft, damage and vandalism of TFR essential infrastructure. The scourge of crime has continued to put a strain on TFR’s ability to deliver reliable and uninterrupted services to customers, ultimately resulting in revenue losses for TFR, the customers and the economy.

OBS service providers are required to provide a full service offering including being held accountable for the security of the network and the ability to ensure trains are not cancelled or delayed as a result of security-related incidents.

Unlike the traditional security offerings, the OBS approach allows for flexibility in the crime prevention strategies to accommodate changing crime trends, patterns and modus operandi of criminal groupings. OBS service providers will enforce a mix of physical guarding, armed response teams, and interventions to address organised crime groupings behind the illicit copper market.

Further, TFR is aware that there are protests at several of its corrdiors, by some former employees of the outgoing security service providers, relating to the implementation of the OBS. While workers with specific skills sets could be absorbed into the various OBS workforces after undergoing strict vetting processes, others could not be accommodated as they failed the vetting process.

The OBS vetting process is to avoid TFR from being exposed to criminal activities from within its operations. In the past TFR has had major challenges with contracted security employees working with criminal syndicates.