File image of stolen copper wire
Drastic measures were needed to address the rampant theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure costing the country billions of rand.
The call came after a meeting of the Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure Forum, led by the Group CEOs of Eskom, PRASA, Telkom, and Transnet, on Friday.
They hosted a high-profile roundtable with key stakeholders to find solutions and discuss the progress in tackling these issues.
“The economic toll, experienced across the country, has reached the point where drastic measures are required, from a policy execution and coordination perspective,” they said.
Telkom Group CEO, Serame Taukobing said the Group is characterised by high levels of crimes of cable theft and sabotage, battery theft as well as vandalism of infrastructure.
He said these crimes hamper the provision of basic essential services to industries and communities.
The economic damage related to copper theft alone has been estimated at more than R45 billion annually.
PRASA Acting Group CEO, Hishaam Emeran believes that through the Forum, established in 2020, they can turn the tide.
Transnet Freight Rail says over the last five years over 1500km of cable had been stolen, with a “net financial impact of R4.1 billion.”
Group CEO, Portia Derby, is also pinning their hopes on the “coordinated and focused response” by the ESCI Forum, which she said would yield positive results.
Eskom CEO, Andre’ de Ruyter said everyone has a role to play in stopping the devastation, sabotage, and destruction of critical infrastructure.
The South African Police Service has meanwhile established a Task Team on
Cable Theft and Damage to Essential Infrastructure, while Cabinet has approved the public consultation process for proposals to restrict the trade of illegally obtained scrap and processed metals.
