To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed.

INFRASTRUCTURE CRIMES utility assets under siege C able theft in South Africa has become so rife that the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) periodically issues a Copper Theft Barometer that monitors the effects of this type of crime in South Africa. However, cable and copper theft is not a South African problem alone as the global utility sector is under siege of infrastructure crimes, writes Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl. The FBI’s report ‘Copper Thefts Threaten U.S. Critical Infrastructure’ states: “Copper thieves are threatening US critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits. The theft of copper from these targets disrupts the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation, water supply, heating, and security and emergency services and presents a risk to both public safety and national security.” Furthermore, cable and copper theft knows no regional or urban boundaries, occurring in suburbs, rural communities and informal settlements, as well as in the commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. THE IMPACT ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY In South Africa, copper theft costs the country’s economy an estimated ZAR5 billion a year. The SACCI barometer, last issued in March 2015, reported a marginally favourable decrease in the copper cable theft level from ZAR12.9 million in January to ZAR12.7 million in February. However, this figure is a 88 notable 18.1% higher than reported at the same time in 2014. Keeping a watchful eye on these figures has been a valuable exercise for those affected by cable theft as it has highlighted a month-on-month increase for five consecutive months in 2014, up from ZAR12 million in August and ZAR13 million in September 2014. Along with the relatively high year-on-year increase, this is an alarm bell for stakeholders to heed that copper cable theft remains on an upward trend. The current fluctuating figures in copper theft may be a result of the average monthly spot price of copper, which decreased from US$6,039 in January 2015 to US$5,691 in February. This is due to the recent fall in the oil price, as oil is a component in the production of copper. However, with the oil price already on the rise once again, it will be interesting to see if there is a corresponding increase in copper theft. A POSITIVE FORCE IN CAPE TOWN’S METALS THEFT UNIT The problem of cable theft is not likely to cease as long as non-ferrous cable metals prices remain sufficiently attractive to would-be thieves. One solution is for municipalities and cities to focus law enforcement on infrastructure theft that includes cables, meters, drain covers, street lighting poles and traffic signage. In order to keep up with the criminal element the City of Cape Town initiated the Metals Theft Unit (MTU) in 2007 with the objective of eradicating theft of ferrous and non-ferrous metals within the city’s jurisdiction. The skills necessary for being part of this unit include crime prevention, investigation, risk assessment, operations planning and intelligence gathering. The unit, informally known as the Copperheads, has maintained an annual arrest and confiscation rate of 100 arrests and 1 ton of copper respectively. Neil Arendse, assistant chief of the Metals Theft Unit, explains that “the lack of investigative powers for metal theft is challenging, but our unit is achieving what it set out to do.” Providing an example, Arendse outlines a successful story: “During an attempted theft of an 11kv (11,000 volt) electrical cable at a water treatment plant in Cape Town, where access was gained through an opening in the fence, the culprit attempted to saw through the cable which exploded. Though he did not steal anything, and was later arrested in hospital receiving treatment for burn wounds, the repair cost ran just under ZAR300 000 and affected power to the plant whilst being repaired.” The Copperheads are currently the only unit of its kind in South Africa but share practices with all interested municipalities including Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay, and eThekweni. ESI OPINION: Johannesburg’s City Power spent over ZAR267 million in the past four years to replace low voltage copper overhead power lines due to theft. The company has joined forces with private businesses, municipalities and law enforcement agencies, to lobby government to classify cable theft as an economic crime. Will they succeed in this endeavour? @ESIAfrica ESI AFRICA ISSUE 1 2015