Copper theft increased in April to 176 tonnes worth R12,5m, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday.
It marked an increase of 23 tonnes from March, the chamber said.
Compared to April 2013, copper theft had risen by 26%.
“The risk is that the recent upward movements in copper theft can become entrenched, rather than adhere to the general downward trend of the last two years,” it added. — Sapa