ONGWEDIVA – NBC’s Kati FM had to go silent for over 24 hours after thieves stole cables that feed telecommunication services to three major institutions in Oshakati. 

According to Oshana police spokesperson Thomas Aiyambo, the act of thievery also affected Oshana Regional Council and the regional directorate of education in addition to the NBC regional office.

It is alleged that the suspects damaged and stole the cables that passed through a manhole behind the Oshana Regional Council office. 

They cut the cables from the ground and the connections cables on the poles, according to Aiyambo.

He said suspects mostly sell copper wires to scrap yards, where they are bought at lucrative prices. 

“We have urged all scrap yard owners not to buy copper wires, but rather report such incidents to the police,” said Aiyambo. 

According to operational manager at Telecom Namibia in Oshakati Elizabeth Jonas, the stolen copper wire was valued at N$4 000. 

She said the affected institutions, including Telecom, have not only endured physical damage but they have also incurred serious financial damages in the process. 

“This work requires manpower. We have to get people from other departments to help us fix where they can temporarily,” added Jonas. 

Jonas Kapenda, the acting chief regional officer of Oshana, said the council as well as the education directorate have put measures in place to make sure they can still communicate with their stakeholders. 

None of the senior officials at NBC was available at the time of going to print.