Losses to copper theft increased marginally to R13.2 million in October, up from R13m the previous month, according to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Sacci) Copper Theft Barometer.<\/p>\n
“This is the fifth monthly increase in the year and is 43 percent higher than a year ago. The increase in October is a worrying signal that copper theft may be on the increase over the short to medium-term.”<\/p>\n
The volume of stolen copper increased from 173 tons in September to 176 tons in October.<\/p>\n
“The recent increases in copper theft suggest an upward trend has taken hold. This is certainly a setback from the good work done in driving down the crime trajectory from 2012 to 2013.”<\/p>\n
Sacci said the impact of copper theft ranged from frustration over network service interruption to the loss of lives.<\/p>\n
Further, municipalities were placed under financial strain in replacing stolen cables.<\/p>\n
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