By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Telecomms giant — TelOne — says Kwekwe, which is the epicentre of gold mining activities ranks high among the cities where serious vandalism of its infrastructure is taking place.
Vandals have been mostly targeting copper installations that currently make up more than 60% of the TelOne telecommunications infrastructure network.
“We have seen cases of vandalism escalating in Kwekwe, where if you replace the cables today, then tomorrow you are assured they will be missing due to vandals.
“And what we have discovered in our investigations is that people behind it all use street children and vagrants who when we arrest cannot lead us to the people behind it,” TelOne Corporate Communications Head, Melody Harry said.
This five-year-old problem has put the business is under threat, with at least US$1,5million having been recorded in lost revenue and network elements for the period ended 31 December 2021.
She said the biggest loss to the Company from acts of vandalism has been the business lost due to voice and internet service disruptions also prejudicing the Company’s valued clients and negatively impacting the Company’s reputation.
In the first six months of 2022, TelOne recorded a total of 196 incidents of live network vandalism representing an increase of 18% when compared to a similar period in 2021.
In turn, a total of 29 000 customers were affected by vandalism-induced downtime, a 74% surge customers affected in prior comparable period.
The Company was prejudiced of US$292, 620 in terms of potential revenue loss in the half year to June, 30 2022. This represents a 64% surge on prior comparable period.
“In terms of equipment lost, TelOne lost network valued at US$362,460, representing a 15% increase when compared to first half 2021.
“Year to date, a total of 28 vandals have been arrested compared to 23 arrests that were made in the first six months of 2021. Out of these arrests, 8 of the suspects were sentenced to the mandatory 10-year jail term by the courts.
“We expect the conviction rate to rise once the Copper Amendment Bill – which seeks a minimum of 30 years’ imprisonment for convicted copper thieves, among other requirements – gets presidential ascent in the second half of 2022. This legislative piece sailed through the National Assembly last month,” she said.
She said TelOne incurs huge costs in the form of replacement costs and funds injected to curb the vandalism, with the estimated revenue losses averaging US$1 million annually.
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