CMY2602 Assignment 1
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
(877420) - DUE March
2025
, CMY2602 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 (877420) - DUE
March 2025
QUESTION 1 Discuss the extent and impact of copper
cable theft in South Africa with practical examples.
cmy2603 (15)
Copper cable theft is a significant problem in South Africa, with far-reaching consequences for
the economy, infrastructure, and public safety. This crime is driven by the high value of copper
on the international market and the relative ease with which thieves can access and sell stolen
cables.
Extent of Copper Cable Theft
1. Scale of the Problem:
o Copper cable theft is widespread, affecting critical infrastructure such as
electricity supply, telecommunications, and transportation networks.
o Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, reported over 1,000 incidents of
cable theft in 2022 alone, resulting in significant financial losses and service
disruptions.
o Transnet, the national freight rail company, has also been heavily impacted, with
thousands of kilometers of copper cables stolen annually, disrupting rail
operations and causing delays in goods transportation.
2. Hotspots:
o Gauteng, the economic hub of South Africa, is one of the most affected provinces
due to its dense infrastructure networks.
o Other hotspots include the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape,
where theft is prevalent in both urban and rural areas.
3. Criminal Networks:
o Copper cable theft is often carried out by organized criminal syndicates that
export stolen copper to international markets.
o These syndicates exploit vulnerable individuals, including unemployed youth, to
carry out the thefts.
Impact of Copper Cable Theft
1. Economic Impact:
o The theft of copper cables costs South Africa billions of rand annually. For
example, Eskom estimated losses of over R7 billion in 2022 due to cable theft and
related infrastructure damage.
o Businesses suffer from power outages and communication disruptions, leading to
lost productivity and revenue.
(COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025
(877420) - DUE March
2025
, CMY2602 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE
ANSWERS) Semester 1 2025 (877420) - DUE
March 2025
QUESTION 1 Discuss the extent and impact of copper
cable theft in South Africa with practical examples.
cmy2603 (15)
Copper cable theft is a significant problem in South Africa, with far-reaching consequences for
the economy, infrastructure, and public safety. This crime is driven by the high value of copper
on the international market and the relative ease with which thieves can access and sell stolen
cables.
Extent of Copper Cable Theft
1. Scale of the Problem:
o Copper cable theft is widespread, affecting critical infrastructure such as
electricity supply, telecommunications, and transportation networks.
o Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, reported over 1,000 incidents of
cable theft in 2022 alone, resulting in significant financial losses and service
disruptions.
o Transnet, the national freight rail company, has also been heavily impacted, with
thousands of kilometers of copper cables stolen annually, disrupting rail
operations and causing delays in goods transportation.
2. Hotspots:
o Gauteng, the economic hub of South Africa, is one of the most affected provinces
due to its dense infrastructure networks.
o Other hotspots include the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape,
where theft is prevalent in both urban and rural areas.
3. Criminal Networks:
o Copper cable theft is often carried out by organized criminal syndicates that
export stolen copper to international markets.
o These syndicates exploit vulnerable individuals, including unemployed youth, to
carry out the thefts.
Impact of Copper Cable Theft
1. Economic Impact:
o The theft of copper cables costs South Africa billions of rand annually. For
example, Eskom estimated losses of over R7 billion in 2022 due to cable theft and
related infrastructure damage.
o Businesses suffer from power outages and communication disruptions, leading to
lost productivity and revenue.
