Cable theft and infrastructure vandalism are costing billions of rands and, if not reduced, will lead to a slower economic recovery.
This persistent challenge has led to R7-billion a year in direct losses for Telkom, Eskom, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and Transnet, with a R187-billion knock-on effect on the economy.
The CEOs of the four companies joined forces to combat infrastructure and cable theft in 2020 and are developing a national cable theft prevention strategy to assist government.
There is also a coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies and the companies to address the growing problem.
Telecommunications, electricity and rail infrastructure ensure that vital services are delivered and day-to-day tasks are completed.
“Vandalism and theft exacerbate the problems that face the already ailing South African economy on a macro level, as well as a large proportion of the population that needs to participate in the digital economy,” says outgoing Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko.
The CEOs agree that each act of theft or vandalism threatens the country’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The South African economy is driven by intersectoral business dealings and interdependencies, meaning that the loss of production in one organisation may affect many others.
These crimes undermine the national effort to improve services and quality of life and create jobs
, says Maseko.