Bulawayo is among the worst-affected cities in Zimbabwe for cable theft, with repeated vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure causing prolonged internet disruptions, according to state-owned telecoms firm TelOne.
The company says the theft of copper cables is the main reason behind persistent service outages in some suburbs, rejecting claims from frustrated residents that it is deliberately allowing the ageing network to collapse in order to force customers onto newer wireless services.
The issue has sparked anger among some Bulawayo residents, who say repeated cable thefts have left them without reliable internet for extended periods.
Some accused TelOne of failing to replace stolen infrastructure and instead pushing subscribers to migrate to wireless services that require costly new equipment.
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“We have a crisis. Thieves are stealing TelOne cables and they don’t replace them for us,” said one resident.
“They say we should migrate to SIM cards, yet you have to buy a new modern device costing between US$70 and US$120.
“Now we don’t know if they are really being stolen or if it’s a way to force us to migrate to the new system.”
Responding to the concerns, TelOne chief executive Engineer Lawrence Nkala said the company remained committed to providing reliable services despite growing challenges posed by vandalism.
“The challenges currently being experienced in some areas of Bulawayo are primarily a result of the growing incidence of cable theft and vandalism targeting telecommunications infrastructure,” said Nkala.
He said Bulawayo had become one of the areas hardest hit by copper cable theft, with both residential and commercial districts affected.
“Due to the attractive resale value of copper, some areas have experienced multiple theft incidents on the same routes shortly after restoration efforts have been completed,” he said.
Nkala said the thefts had serious consequences beyond internet disruptions.
“These criminal activities result in prolonged service outages, increased restoration costs, and disruption to essential communication services relied upon by homes, businesses, schools, clinics and government institutions,” he said.
“The impact extends beyond TelOne, affecting customers, emergency communications, businesses and the broader economy.”
TelOne said it was working with law enforcement agencies, local authorities and communities to tackle the growing problem.
Addressing allegations that the company was abandoning its copper-based network, Nkala said TelOne had no policy of abruptly disconnecting customers using legacy infrastructure.
“TelOne has not adopted a policy aimed at abruptly discontinuing services to customers currently using copper-based networks,” he said.
However, he said repeated thefts had made restoring some parts of the copper network increasingly unsustainable.
“In many instances, replacement copper cables are repeatedly stolen shortly after installation, resulting in a cycle of service interruptions and substantial restoration costs,” Nkala said.
“Continuing to replace infrastructure that remains highly vulnerable to theft is neither sustainable nor in the long-term beneficial to our customers.”
He said where restoring copper infrastructure was no longer economically viable, TelOne would shift affected customers to alternative technologies such as fibre and fixed wireless broadband.
Nkala said this should not be viewed as a withdrawal of service, but as part of a broader global transition away from copper networks.
“Globally, telecommunications networks are evolving from legacy copper infrastructure towards fibre-optic and wireless broadband technologies that offer higher speeds, improved reliability and lower maintenance requirements,” he said.
He acknowledged that customers migrating to newer technologies faced additional costs, including the purchase of modems and other devices.
But he said TelOne was reviewing support measures, including promotions and discounts on customer equipment, to make the transition more affordable.
Nkala also dismissed suggestions that cable theft was being used as a strategy to force migration.
“We respectfully disagree with this perception,” he said.
“Cable theft is a well-documented and verifiable criminal activity that has affected telecommunications, electricity and railway infrastructure across the country for several years.”
“No telecommunications operator benefits from the destruction of its own network assets.”
Meanwhile, TelOne said it was continuing with its Network Renewal and Modernisation Programme, which includes expanding fibre broadband in urban areas, widening LTE coverage and improving network security systems.
The company urged residents to report suspicious activity near telecommunications infrastructure as it seeks to curb vandalism and protect critical national assets.
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