Telecommunication services provider Corridor Africa Technologies has implemented a number of measures to combat telecommunications infrastructure theft and vandalism.
The urgency of the situation has been highlighted by recent events, such as the damage of 900 cell towers by floods in KwaZulu-Natal, the vandalism of over 100 towers during unrest in 2021 and the collapse of a powerline owing to vandalism, in Tshwane, in April.
“The Tshwane powerline collapse was a wake-up call for all of us. We are taking urgent and proactive measures to protect our infrastructure and prevent further damage,” says Corridor Africa Technologies CEO Matone Ditlhake.
The measures include increased security measures, collaboration with law enforcement agencies, public awareness campaigns and partnerships with local authorities.
“We believe that collaboration is key to combating telecommunications infrastructure theft and vandalism,” he points out.
The theft and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure is impacting the country's digital transformation plan and hindering the government's goal of universal, affordable access to the Internet by 2030.
“The incident has highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of infrastructure theft and vandalism, which is delaying the country's digital transformation plan and costing billions of rands each year.”
“We are committed to working with our partners in law enforcement, government, and local communities to protect critical infrastructure and ensure that South Africa's digital transformation plan is not further delayed,” Ditlhake concludes.