Cellphone tower

Cell tower battery theft has become a major problem for network providers in South Africa. Photo: Prasanna Devadas from Pixabay

PTA man nabbed with MTN cellphone tower batteries worth R700 000

MTN constantly needs to replace vandalised infrastructure.

Cellphone tower

Cell tower battery theft has become a major problem for network providers in South Africa. Photo: Prasanna Devadas from Pixabay

An unnamed Pretoria man was found and arrested last Wednesday, 16 October 2019 while in possession of MTN cellphone tower batteries. The batteries were said to be valued at over R700 000.

This type of vandalism isn’t anything new according to MTN’s General Manager of Network Operations, Ernst Paul. According to IOL, MTN was encuring financial loses after finding they needed to constantly replace vandalised infrastructure.

MTN cellphone tower vandalism causes financial losses

MTN revealed that a single incident could cost them R500 000 in repairs. Paul said: “We are losing a lot in terms of infrastructure as the costs rocket.”

The general manager for the company explained how their financial loss could not yet be quantified. However, he gave an estimate of the losses they’ve encountered saying it was over R200 million.

MTN pleased with the arrest of the pretoria thief

Paul also confessed that the vandalism was actually driving up costs. Speaking about the arrest he stated:

“We welcome this significant arrest. We’ve been waiting for this a long time; it sends a strong message. With this arrest we can now understand even more how the local market works, who he sells to and where they are taking them. We are also working to see if he can be linked to eight other incidents.”

Ernst Paul, MTN General Manager of Network Operations

How the Pretoria man was arrested

Police arrested the former contractor at an MTN cellphone tower in Doornpoort. The man was found with 24 batteries.

The unnamed criminal was caught after Bidvest Protea Coin officers saw him on the site of the tower while they were patrolling in a vehicle. When the security officers questioned the man, they discovered the batteries and reached out to the police.

MTN commends whistle-blowers

MTN’s Paul commended the security guards and other whistle-blowers for reporting thefts and suspicions. The network provider’s employee said:

“There has been increased activity from whistle-blowers, even in rural areas. Their efforts help us identify areas that need more attention.”

Ernst Paul, MTN General Manager of Network Operations

Anti-crime activist says more needs to be done

Yusuf Abramjee, an anti-crime activist, also welcomed the breakthroughs that were made to fight cellphone tower battery theft and vandalism. However, statistics remained high and it is clear that more still has to be done.

Abramjee shared:

“The number of towers damaged is exceptionally high, but there have been breakthroughs over recent months through the efforts of the SAPS, security companies and public whistle-blowing. Many of them (batteries) are leaving the country destined for Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique among others.”

Yusuf Abramjee, anti-crime activist

The activist added that there appeared to be no decline in cellphone tower attacks. He stated: “The stats show that on average, between 400 and 600 towers are attacked every month.”