By Staff reporter WINDHOEK The theft of MTC’s solar panels in the Caprivi region has disrupted mobile services in some areas. MTC recently reported losses in excess of N$600ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 with the theft of 51 solar panels which were reported between December 19, 2006 and January 17 – less than one month. In December, thieves stole 25 solar panels costing N$300ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 from two sites, Omega and Saccinga. MTC’S General Manager: Corporate Services, Albertus Oachamub, said in a press statement yesterday that, as a result, these sites are not performing optimally and are failing for about one to two hours a day. “When Saccinga failed, it also affected Sibbinda, Chinchimane, Mbanga and Sangwali,” he added. Last week, the company recorded yet another theft, but this time 26 panels were stolen at Kongola at an estimated cost of N$300 000. He said this serves as a major setback for the company’s roll out of important services to the rural communities of Namibia. Due to this, MTC is calling on the communities and local leadership to form a partnership with the company in order to safeguard assets that belong to the local community. “Theft results in service disruptions, loss of revenue to MTC and local businesses that rely on these critical telecommunication services,” he said. It will take some three to four weeks to replace the lost equipment.