The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
SECURITY at mobile base stations needs strengthening as criminal syndicates are on the prowl, vandalising infrastructure and stealing back-up batteries that play an essential part in keeping network operations running during load-shedding.
According to investigations, most cellphone towers have a set of back-up batteries that kicks in when power supply is disrupted by load-shedding.
The batteries are stored in a steel and concrete vault and are encased in steel containers.
They can provide up to six hours of backup power during load-shedding.
The batteries, necessary for keeping operations online, are resold on the black market for as little as US$300.
Each battery has a commercial value of US$1 500.
The ever-increasing theft of the batteries is forcing mobile network operators to shutdown some of their cellphone towers, leading to a strain on the wider network and diminishing the quality of coverage in certain parts of the province.
The impact of infrastructure theft and vandalism on mobile network base stations is on the rise, and putting to the fore the need for security measures to be tightened to halt criminal syndicates from doing more harm.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the problem is prevalent in Rusape where criminals are vandalising base stations, plunging certain areas into communication vacuum.
“On December 30, security guard manning a Econet Wireless booster at Zimati in Rusape — Mr Shepard Muhala — was approached by four unknown machete-wielding robbers. One of them ordered the guard (unarmed) to lie down and assaulted him with a machete.
“The suspects took an Itel handset from Mr Muhala and tied both his hands backwards. They broke into the base station and stole four lithium back-up batteries that are used to keep operations running during load-shedding, leading to a strain on the mobile network and diminishing the quality of coverage in parts of the town,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said the security guard later untied himself and made a report at Rusape Urban Police Station, and the scene was attended by CID details.
“No arrests and recoveries were made, and investigations are in progress. Network coverage is lost if we do not have batteries, while cases of vandalism, cable theft and diesel theft remain high and must be eradicated. We need members of the public to join forces so that we can fight this scourge and bring to book the syndicates behind these crimes.
“Those with information that may lead to the apprehension of the four-man gang must report to Rusape Central or their nearest police station,” he said.
While members of the public have been urged to work hand-in-glove with law enforcement agents, security companies manning these premises have been challenged to adequately train their personnel and arm them to the teeth to put a stop on these criminal gangs and minimise the loss.
Mobile operators, who are struggling to keep their networks running optimally due to rising levels of load-shedding and theft of thousands worth of backup power investments at mobile base stations, have also been challenged to increase security personnel, use heavy 2v batteries, install GPS tracker technology and security cameras on their premises.
