{"id":312837,"date":"2019-07-21T18:21:24","date_gmt":"2019-07-21T16:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=312837"},"modified":"2019-07-21T18:22:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-21T16:22:59","slug":"crime-and-corruption-killing-fibre-rollouts-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/fibre\/312837-crime-and-corruption-killing-fibre-rollouts-in-south-africa.html","title":{"rendered":"Crime and corruption killing fibre rollouts in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crime and corruption are killing fibre rollouts across South Africa, with poor communities being hit the hardest.<\/p>\n

This is according to feedback from industry players familiar with fibre rollouts in townships and rural areas who asked to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n

One example is Vumatel\u2019s Alexandra fibre project<\/strong><\/a> where the company aimed to provide residents with uncapped fibre for R89 per month.<\/p>\n

Vumatel initially hoped to complete construction of the first phase in Alexandra by the end of March 2018, but this did not happen.<\/p>\n

In April 2018, Vumatel said<\/strong><\/a> it has completed the planning for the first phase of its fibre network build for Alexandra, but was waiting on the required regulatory approvals.<\/p>\n

Since then not much has happened, and in May this year, Vumatel told Business Insider<\/strong><\/a> the roll-out cannot commence until it has received wayleave approvals from the City of Johannesburg.<\/p>\n

Bribery and corruption allegations<\/h3>\n

An industry player with knowledge of the Vumatel project told MyBroadband that bribery and corruption are at the heart of the Alexandra fibre problems.<\/p>\n

He said it is challenging to receive the necessary approvals and support for these fibre rollouts without greasing the palms of the right people.<\/p>\n

These approvals are necessary to use the existing pole infrastructure in Alexandra to roll out its aerial fibre network.<\/p>\n

He added that this corruption is making it nearly impossible to roll out fibre networks in areas like Alexandra.<\/p>\n

Gangs targeting fibre companies in townships and rural areas<\/h3>\n

Another fibre network operator told MyBroadband that they do not use any branded vehicles or branded clothing when its staff has to do work in townships.<\/p>\n

He said criminal gangs target fibre operators which try to roll out networks \u2013 both to steal their equipment and belongings and to solicit bribes from these companies.<\/p>\n

The situation is so bad that Vumatel had to stop work in KwaZulu-Natal in August 2018 due to intimidation and threats against workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis means that until the issues have been resolved, the contractors will be unable to attend to civil work or reinstatements,\u201d Vumatel said.<\/p>\n

Maintaining fibre networks also a problem<\/h3>\n

The crime problem even extends to the maintenance of fibre networks in certain areas.<\/p>\n

Last year Openserve fibre technicians in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town were chased away<\/strong><\/a> from repairing a fibre line in the area.<\/p>\n

The restoration of a \u201cmajor optic fibre route\u201d came to a stop when technicians and their security escorts had to leave the area after being confronted by a group of people.<\/p>\n

Openserve said it reported the matter to the police, who recommended that technicians stay away until they were given the green light.<\/p>\n

Vumatel responds<\/h3>\n

Vumatel told MyBroadband that it is currently awaiting the necessary approvals and remain firm in its commitment to bring high-speed connectivity to all communities.<\/p>\n

The company did not directly comment on allegations that bribery and corruption are hampering the project.<\/p>\n

Instead, it said its investment in, and partnership with the communities where fibre is being earmarked or rolled out is done so through the correct and approved channels.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur project is currently awaiting the necessary approvals and will commence as soon as these are received,\u201d Vumatel said.<\/p>\n

Video of a gang targeting a fibre operator<\/h3>\n

The video below shows two members of a fibre installation team being held up at gunpoint while thieves make off with their belongings.<\/p>\n