South Africa’s Copper Theft Crisis: Billions Lost as Criminals Grow More Sophisticated

Copper theft in South Africa has reached crisis levels, costing the country billions of rands annually and exacerbating power outages. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their methods, making it increasingly difficult for authorities to combat the issue.

According to former Eskom executive and City Power director Professor Vally Padayachee, copper cable thieves are now accessing tunnels beneath Johannesburg’s roads to steal high-voltage cables, putting themselves and critical infrastructure at extreme risk.

“You don’t want to be in a tunnel when stealing a cable. Whether it’s live or dead, it’s a massive risk because you are grinding, and those sparks can start a fire,” Padayachee told Newzroom Afrika. “Once it ignites, it’s like a massive blowtorch, which will kill you instantaneously.”

A Billion-Rand Problem with No Easy Solution

The theft of copper cables, transformers, overhead lines, and conductors costs Eskom an estimated R2 billion per year. However, data from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) suggests the actual cost is between R5 billion and R7 billion annually, making it one of the most expensive forms of infrastructure-related crime in the country.

The financial burden isn’t limited to Eskom. Power surges caused by cable theft have destroyed household appliances, leaving residents with massive losses. In one case, a residential complex in Centurion suffered damages exceeding R1 million after a surge destroyed fridges, TVs, and washing machines—caused by the theft of just R10,000 worth of copper cables.

Technology vs. Manpower: The Battle Against Cable Theft

Authorities are torn between two approaches: increasing security with more personnel or leveraging technology to prevent theft.

“What we tried to do, and we’re still doing it, is to implement more technology because you can’t practically deploy the manpower needed at all substations,” Padayachee said. “This technology allows for faster electronic indication of where theft occurs, enabling us to respond and deploy people to deal with the problem.”

As criminals become more advanced, there is hope that artificial intelligence (AI) could play a greater role in detecting and preventing copper theft. AI-driven monitoring systems could provide real-time alerts to security teams, improving response times and reducing losses.

Cutting Off the Scrap Metal Market

Another key aspect of tackling copper theft is restricting the scrap metal trade. In 2022, the South African government temporarily banned the export of copper to curb illicit trade, a move that yielded positive results.

“If the scrap market were cut off, it would arrest this problem,” Padayachee explained.

The Gauteng government has taken a firm stance against illegal scrap yards, shutting down 1,079 non-compliant sites as part of a broader crackdown. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi also confirmed that 593 spare shops and 149 tyre shops operating illegally had been shut down.

Eskom Phasing Out Copper to Deter Thieves

Recognizing that copper’s high value makes it a continuous target, Eskom is shifting away from using copper cables altogether.

“We are moving away from using copper because we have seen that it is quite in demand, so whenever we have any cable that has been stolen, we do not replace it with copper,” said Eskom’s Gauteng spokesperson Amanda Qithi.

A Growing Threat to South Africa’s Economy and Stability

Copper theft isn’t just an economic issue—it is a major contributor to South Africa’s electricity crisis. Load-shedding in 2021, 2022, and 2023 was worsened by infrastructure sabotage, costing businesses and individuals alike.

As criminals refine their tactics, South Africa’s ability to combat this crisis will depend on a combination of technological advancements, stricter enforcement, and a decisive crackdown on illegal scrap metal trade. The question remains: Can authorities stay ahead of the criminals, or will copper theft continue to drain billions from the economy?

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