Track: Masters Thesis Competition

Abstract

South Africa has experienced an unprecedented increase in copper cable theft over the past five years. Cable theft harms critical infrastructure in industries such as telecommunications, electric power supply, municipalities, and railways. The railway sector is the most affected industry, as seventy-five (75%) of all cable theft-related economic losses in state-owned companies emanate from them. Constant railway infrastructure security threats result in an unreliable rail network, train delays, operational risks, and safety risks. Cable theft threatens the sustainability of the railway industry in South Africa, and this research paper aims to investigate which strategies are used to combat cable theft and understand the reasons for the failure to effectively implement them. Online survey questionnaires were used to gather information about the current cable theft prevention strategies and challenges from experienced railway professionals. The responses indicated that the most common strategies include using patrolling officers, access control, scrap regulation, and robotic surveillance. The challenges experienced in preventing cable theft are linked to the failures of security personnel, security systems, scrap sale regulation, and law enforcement. The study recommended that railway companies should diversify their tactics by including more of the less commonly used tactics, such as micro-dot marking, CCTV surveillance, wireless network systems, alarm systems, and community awareness campaigns.