Criminals sabotage network providers’ infrastructure

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is dealing with several cases of theft and vandalism of infrastructure belonging to local service providers.
With most companies in Zimbabwe having adopted digital technologies to deal with the disruption brought about by the coronavirus pandemic – criminals are also making a killing, drawing back efforts being made by innovators.

Ever since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, lockdowns have led to a reduction in the number of people physically going to work.
This has resulted in companies making use of modern technology that allows people to work from home.

While some see the transition as a cost and lifesaving initiative, criminals see otherwise. On Saturday, police arrested four people suspected of siphoning 170 litres of diesel from local network service providers’ boosters in Norton.

They recovered a Toyota Hiace, suspected to have been used by the gang. Their three accomplices are still at large.

Power utility company, Zesa, is on record decrying theft and vandalism of transformers worth thousands of United States dollars and hundreds of copper cable rods.

This theft and vandalism has become a cause for concern as communication and power are interlinked.

Efforts to use green energy through solar power adoption has produced no better results as criminals are also targeting solar installations on traffic lights, street lights and network boosters.

The theft and vandalism has left corporates, Government departments and individuals reeling under the pressure of severe losses.

According to a new McKinsey Global Survey of executives, companies have accelerated the digitisation of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations by three to four years.

The survey states that during the pandemic, consumers have moved dramatically toward online channels, and companies and industries have responded in turn, a rapid shift towards interacting with customers through digital channels.

While the country seems to be making strides in this direction, criminals threaten to hinder progress made so far. Nhau/Indaba