Timber theft on the rise in South Africa

Theft of timber from forestry estates in South Africa is escalating at an alarming rate, with well-equipped syndicates involved. But now timber companies are hitting back.

The arrest of 22 timber theft suspects in Piet Retief in a well co-ordinated operation by Mondi’s risk control staff and police is the latest salvo in the war against timber theft.

Also on the rise is theft of chainsaws from harvesting contractors. Peter Knipschild of Sappi estimates that around 1000 chainsaws have been stolen from contractors in the Mpumalanga area in just over a year.

He said that the timber thieves are operating in groups, and routinely cut 200-300 trees in one night. A tell-tale sign of timber theft is that the trees are cut at knee height or above, usually with bowsaws. Within a day or two the stolen timber is on sale as untreated poles at informal markets.

But timber companies are fighting back, and are employing former police detectives to track down the culprits. A timber theft forum has been established in Nelspruit, and another around Piet Retief.

Intensive investigations by Mondi’s Asset Protection Unit working together with a local police detective resulted in the arrest in July of a suspected timber theft syndicate operating around Piet Retief. A total of 22 suspects were arrested in the swoop, during which nine vehicles, two firearms, 14 cell phones and stolen timber was confiscated.

The suspects have appeared in court on seven charges of timber theft . They were released on bail and are due to appear in court again in the new year.

The arrests followed a sharp increase in the theft of standing timber in Piet Retief and surrounding areas. An estimated 18 000 trees were stolen from one grower in a six month period, with up to 500 trees stolen in one incident.