Telecoms firms facing higher security costs amid battery theft

Mobile network operators are spending millions of rands on replacing stolen batteries and on security following a spate of vandalism at their cellphone tower sites.  

Tower vandalism is a significant issue affecting not only operators but consumers whose service may be cut off completely in some areas. Each theft incident can result in the network in that area being down for days, and can severely impact businesses and individuals. It can also cause ecological damage with vandalism resulting in diesel spillage.