Kamberg community partners Vodacom in a community-based model to secure towers against battery theft

DURBAN – The community of Kamberg in KwaZulu-Natal has partnered with Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal region to implement additional security measures at the telcos' base station sites in the area, paving the way for a new community-led model that ensures the safety and security of base station sites across the province. Critically, this will ensure uninterrupted access to connectivity benefits everyone in the area.

Cellular base stations often serve as the only form of connectivity for many communities, especially in remote areas of the country. When these sites are vandalised or batteries are stolen, hundreds of thousands of residents are left without connectivity. This not only affects individuals and small businesses but also has serious consequences in emergency situations when making a call can be a matter of life and death.

Molefe Mahlangu, Executive Head of Operations at Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal commented: "Vodacom has always maintained that the number one line of defence against site vandalism is the local community. We cannot combat this issue alone and appreciate that police and private security cannot be everywhere, hence our appeals to communities to get involved. Following a series of meetings between ourselves and the Kamberg community, this community offered to deploy further security measures in ensuring that the community is not deprived of essential communications services. In our view this is the kind of futuristic model that is going to help end vandalism in our country." 

The Kamberg community put up a second security layer in the form of an electric fence around the three Vodacom towers that are regularly hit in the area. A few weeks down the line the community working together with a private security company apprehended two criminals that broke into Vodacom’s site in the area and successfully secured two stolen batteries from the thieves.

The cost of restoring connectivity after such incidents amount to about R70 000 per site, which could otherwise be invested in network upgrades and rural expansion. Therefore, the cost of the impact of vandalism and theft goes beyond just the equipment and resources required for restoration. As a result, Vodacom South Africa loses circa R100 million to vandalism and battery theft each year.

Essentially a farming community, the Kamberg valley is described by its people as ‘the valley, which God created once he had practised on the rest of the world". It lies in the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains just beyond the Nottingham Road turnoff from Durban, and there is a dominant sense of tranquillity, open space and calm here.

To address battery theft and vandalism, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal region has invested in robust security measures, including installing security cameras to monitor sites and deploying trained security personnel to respond quickly to any suspicious activity. High-security battery cabinets and hardened site containers have also been installed, which are making it more difficult for criminals to access valuable equipment. In addition, the region is working closely with law enforcement agencies, communities and security companies to arrest thieves for prosecution with several cases awaiting trial. Therefore, we urge anyone who sees suspicious activity around our base stations to report it to the police by calling our toll free number: 0822419952 or SAPS on 10111.