Namibian telecommunications operator MTC will lose nearly $100 000, following the theft of 51 solar panels in the country's Caprivi region.
The theft has cut off telecoms services in the area, as much of the equipment relies on solar power.
"We estimate the cost of replacement to be in the region of $98 000 [N$700 000],"says Albertus Aochamub, GM of corporate services at MTC. He expects it will take between three and four weeks to replace the panels.
Theft and vandalism in the past few months have hindered the company's $17 million VSAT backhaul project, which was implemented late last year to provide the rural areas with telecoms access.
MTC is working with the Namibian police and local community to apprehend the culprits, says Aochamub. "The Namibian police have been very cooperative and we trust they will apprehend the culprits with the help of the local community."
He adds that MTC will beef up physical security with electric fencing in the area to prevent this kind of theft.
"There are also plans for ongoing community education, so that those that live in the vicinity of the facilities take complete ownership," Aochamub says. "Without community 'policing', we would be unable to stem the tide of this type of vandalism and theft."
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