Copper theft spiked in January, costing R20,5m, the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) said on Monday.
“These levels are unsustainable and will continue to drive up the costs for consumers and business at a time when both are already challenged by increasing levels of administered prices,” Sacci said in a statement on its non-ferrous metals (copper) theft barometer.
Copper theft levels were “fairly stable” from June to December 2010, costing between R16m and R18m a month. Sacci said the annual cost for 2010 was R259m. “This was followed by a spike in January 2011 to R20,5m.”
The annual cost from February 2010 to January 2011 was R263,5m.
The barometer, which measures copper cable theft in SA on a monthly basis, reflects the experiences of Transnet, Telkom, and Eskom. It is an indicator of the estimated replacement cost of copper cable stolen and does not reflect other indirect costs.
“Non-ferrous metals theft deprives society of telecommunications, transport and electricity services, often in times of crisis and emergency,” Sacci said. “It impacts on living stands and drives up the costs of goods and transport.”
It also disrupted business operations. — Sapa
- Image: Richard Webb [CC-BY-SA-2.0]
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