Thieves target cell phone tower batteries

According to Barberton SAPS, telecommunication companies have become the victims of vandalism.

They believe that a syndicate has targeted cellphone towers. This after 32 cellphone tower batteries were reportedly stolen at the Aerodrome tower last Tuesday.

Const Tutu Nkosi, Barberton police spokesman, said six of the reported 32 stolen batteries were recovered. The police have now asked the community to assist in the recovery of the other missing ones.

“We are asking the community to be our eyes and eyes. If you see any batteries similar to the ones we are looking for, report it to the authorities,” she said.

They are reported to worth over R20 000 each.

Brian Baheta of the Black Hawk Business Solutions Security, which was contracted to overlook the tower, said while it’s not only dangerous to steal batteries, it could have impacted services to thousands of customers.

He said the those that were stolen were used to ground the tower in case of a lightning strike.

“When batteries are stolen, the network typically does not experience any service interruption. In the event of lightning, the towers are equipped with these backup batteries so the public can keep making cellular calls,” said Baheta.

It is believed the batteries are stolen and sold to scrap merchants for its metal content. It also believed it can be use to power radios and televisions.

Anyone with the information is requested to call the police on 013-712-2233.