According to Mining News Pro - A preliminary investigation into the cause of the derailment points to sabotage, after the railway line was cut in half by a blow torch, Transnet Freight Rail said in a statement without elaborating.

The 200-wagon coal train derailed on Thursday.

A force majeure has been issued, the company said.

"Engineers and maintenance crew are working round the clock to re-rail the wagons and repair the line," Transnet said.

"The estimated time of re-opening at least one of the two the lines is Saturday 22 December 2018."

South Africa`s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) exported a record 76.47-million tonnes of coal in 2017, and aims to export 77 million tonnes this year.

http://www.miningnewspro.com/en/News/318637/Train derailment investigation points to sabotage