Vandalism costs MTC millions

MTC says it has been forced to spend more than N$1 million on replacing stolen and vandalised solar panels.

It has lost more than 130 solar panels over the past eight months.At a joint media briefing with the Namibian Police this week, MTC spokesman Albertus Aochamub said stolen solar panels are of no use on their own and there is no reason why thieves should steal them.Aochamub said it is not possible for MTC to wait for the Police to recover the panels, as it needs to keep its network running.The mobile operator has about 59 solar sites countrywide, which it has spent N$50 million erecting.Aochamub said the nation can no longer allow vandals to reign supreme and asked for a collective effort from the public to put an end to the theft and vandalism of solar sites.Security measures such as electric fencing and alarms are not effective, as the sites are in remote areas.Deputy Commissioner Hophni Hamufungu, said the Police will leave no stone unturned in recovering the stolen panels, which he said are mostly sold across the border in Angola.