Telkom services in Springs on Gauteng’s East Rand have been disrupted following multiple cable theft in the area, the fixed-line operator said on Thursday. More than 1 000 corporate and residential customers have been affected.

“On Wednesday, 6 June, cable thieves broke into Telkom’s underground infrastructure access to cut and remove the cables feeding seven street distribution cabinets in surrounding areas,” the company said. “Telkom has reported the crime and a police investigation is currently underway.”

The suburbs of Casseldale and Strubenvale with telephone codes 815, 812 and 362 have been affected.

“Business and residential customers are severely affected due to an alarming amount of copper-cable theft that results in service interruptions.”

Telkom services were disrupted recently in parts of Randburg, north-west of Johannesburg, also after copper cables were stolen.

“The severity of the impact is due to the fact that ICT services are a vital component to the running of businesses and an integral part of everyday living,” says Theo Hess, Telkom managing executive for network field services.

Telkom said it had already begun work to replace the stolen cables in Springs and expected all services to be restored by Monday, 11 June. The company had increased security measures in the area to discourage further cable theft.

“Working closely with the Non-Ferrous Theft Combating Committee, Business Against Crime and the SA Police Service, Telkom’s network protection efforts have resulted in 295 arrests over the past six months,” Hess said. — (c) 2012 NewsCentral Media