MTN has forged a strategic alliance with the Eastern Cape Provincial Police Board and the Eastern Cape Community Police Forum (CPF) to protect its critical network infrastructure. This collaboration comes in response to a concerning rise in vandalism incidents, with an average of 71 cases reported over the past six months. The initiative is a crucial part of MTN’s broader strategy to curb the theft of network batteries and cables at its Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the region and nationwide.
MTN South Africa’s CEO, Charles Molapisi, highlights the significance of this partnership: “These criminal activities not only disrupt the communities we serve but also deprive them of essential connectivity. This affects their work, safety, and ability to stay connected with loved ones, leading to lasting repercussions on their livelihoods. By collaborating with law enforcement, we are not just protecting our network; we are investing in the safety and future of our communities.”
In response to the growing security threats, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and CPF in the Eastern Cape will deploy law enforcement personnel and community patrollers to monitor and swiftly respond to security breaches at MTN network sites in high-risk areas such as Mthatha and Queenstown. This initiative strengthens the collaborative efforts between MTN, SAPS, and CPF to combat infrastructure-related crime.
The initiative builds on the success of a similar pilot program launched in Gauteng in 2023, where MTN partnered with the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board. That collaboration led to a 35% reduction in MTN-related crime and asset losses. Expanding this approach to the Eastern Cape is expected to bolster crime-fighting efforts, particularly with the strategic involvement of the SAPS Critical Infrastructure Task Team.
As part of this partnership, MTN will equip the Mthatha SAPS Joint Operations Centre with essential resources, including laptops, computers, printers, furniture, power supply units, and reliable internet connectivity. Additionally, CPF patrollers will receive uniforms, panic buttons, and two-way radios to enhance their operational efficiency and community safety efforts.
To further improve crime detection and response capabilities, MTN will install Mobile Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras on select SAPS patrol vehicles. This technology will enable law enforcement to identify and respond to criminal activity more effectively.
Empowering Authorities with Technology and Training
Beyond providing physical resources, the partnership focuses on enhancing the skills of SAPS and CPF members by offering technological tools, intelligence-driven strategies, and operational support to combat crimes targeting network infrastructure. Community outreach programs will also play a vital role in educating the public about the consequences of vandalism and encouraging active participation in crime prevention.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, MTN will share crime intelligence, technological advancements, and crime pattern analysis with SAPS and CPF to enhance response efforts. A continuous monitoring framework will be implemented to assess the impact of the partnership, tracking reductions in theft and vandalism to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa (SAPS) expresses optimism about the initiative, stating: “This partnership is expected to significantly reduce crimes targeting mobile network infrastructure while fostering safer communities and strengthening ties between law enforcement and corporate stakeholders.”
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