Telkom is joining forces with other state-owned entities (SOEs), Eskom, PRASA and Transnet in finding solutions to tackle theft and vandalism of economic infrastructure.
The group, collaborating as the Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure (ESCI) forum, met last week deliberating on effective ways to better protect their infrastructure investments.
SA is currently facing a severe challenge of infrastructure vandalism and theft, resulting in companies losing billions of rands.
Telkom and its peers Cell C, Vodacom, MTN, have all been victims of theft and vandalism, which causes disruption of communication services.
In some cases, the rate of vandalism and theft, especially multiple repeat incidents, is forcing the operators to abandon base stations due to non-viable replacement costs.
Likewise, Eskom, PRASA, and Transnet are also facing similar challenges, as incidences of copper cable theft are also rising. The group has pegged economic damage of copper theft alone at more than R45 billion annually.
On Friday, the ESCI met saying given the intensity and frequency of incidents, the industry has come to address the issue with a focused and co-ordinated response.
“The country’s critical infrastructure is a platform for economic activities and catalyst for growth that needs to be always protected by all. Telkom Group is characterised by high levels of crimes of cable theft/sabotage, battery theft and vandalism of infrastructure. These crimes hamper the provision of basic essential services to industries and communities,” says Serame Taukobong, Telkom Group chief executive officer.
Taukobong emphasises that telecommunication services are essential for daily business electronic transactions, educational and entertainment internet and streaming which are essential for population skills enhancement.
“Therefore, it is incumbent upon every citizen to protect and report infrastructure crimes,” said Taukobong.
André de Ruyter, Eskom Group chief executive, also commented on the matter: “Electricity infrastructure is central to the country’s economy, growth and development; therefore, every citizen, every business and the state has a role to play in stopping the devastation, sabotage and destruction of critical infrastructure.
“Eskom is encouraged by the support it is receiving from the security and law enforcement agencies, including the commitment by the National Prosecuting Authority to commence the prosecution of the many serious crimes that have negatively affected Eskom.”
For, Portia Derby, Transnet Group chief executive: “Transnet Freight Rail has experienced an exponential increase in incidents over the last five years, which has resulted in increased tonnage and revenue losses, and increased repair costs.
“Over 1 500km of cable has been stolen (a 1 096% increase in the length of cable stolen) in the past five years, with a net financial impact of R4.1 billion. We are confident that the coordinated and focused response by the ESCI Forum will yield positive results.”
PRASA Acting Group CEO, Hishaam Emeran, added: “Theft and vandalism of essential economic infrastructure have dealt PRASA and the country's economy a heavy blow that cannot be quantified. We are confident that through the Forum we can indeed turn the tide.”
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