Solar Panel Thefts Knock-Out Rural Phone Network

MTC Namibia recently reported losses in excess of N$600,000 (US$84,000) with the theft of 51 solar panels in the Caprivi region, a thin strip of land which sticks out from the north east of Namibia. These thefts occurred between the 19th of December 2006 and January 17th this year.

During December 2006 the towns of Omega and Saccinga were affected when a total of 25 panels were stolen from the two sites at a loss of N$300,000. These sites do not perform optimally due to this, and fails for about 1 to 2 hours a day. When Saccinga failed, it also affected Sibbinda, Shinchimane, Mbanga and Sangwali.

Last week's loss of another 26 panels at Kongola at an estimated cost of N$300,000 also serves as a major setback for the company's roll out of services to the rural communities of Namibia.

Estimated time for replacement of the lost equipment would be 3-4 weeks.

There is a slow-burning but long running civil war in the Caprivi region which has been seeking independence from the rest of Namibia. The Caprivi Strip in the north east of Namibia is mainly inhabited by the Lozi people, who share a common language and history, and often feel more connected with Lozi people in neighbouring countries Zambia, Angola and Botswana.

Last year, the Namibian government sold of 34% of MTC shares to Portugal Telecom, which also holds the management contract. The Mobile World subscriber database reports that MTC ended Q3 '06 with 555,000 subscribers. The operator is currently a monopoly in the market."

Posted to the site on 29th January 2007