Telkom offering R500k reward after countrywide ‘senseless sabotage’

Telkom is offering a R500 000 reward for information after its facilities were “targeted in a series of acts of sabotage”.

The communications network said that its facilities in Midrand, Silverton, Pretoria West, Pinetown, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Makhado and Messina were sabotaged.

“This is not vandalism, the criminals who damaged our property knew what they were doing. Cables have been cut to cause maximum damage. Entire street distribution cabinets, which are located in neighbourhoods to serve multiple streets at a time, have been ripped apart and in a few instances yesterday, set on fire,” said Jacqui O’Sullivan, Telkom’s group executive for communication, in a press statement.

The company explained that specialist equipment was needed to access the fibre cables. It added that it was working with the SAPS to pursue “a number of good leads” relating to the acts.

“We apologise to our customers who have been inconvenienced by this senseless sabotage. We are working to repair the damage as quickly as possible,” O’Sullivan added.

Telkom: ‘We apologise to our customers who have been inconvenienced by this senseless sabotage. We are working to repair the damage as quickly as possible’

The reward is available to the telecom company’s employees and members of the public with relevant information and can be claimed by dialling 0800 124 000.

Who might be to blame for the damage though? Well, the company seems to be implying that union members are the chief culprits…

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“On Monday, members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) blockaded access to Telkom offices and facilities. Employees were barred from entering the Telkom campus in Centurion and were intimidated and threatened,” the company explained.

“Telkom secured an urgent interim order to interdict the union from illegal activities such as blockading entrances to facilities and offices and intimidating staff. The interdict also instructed that CWU members who are participating in the strike, must do so 50 metres away from Telkom premises. The union is demanding an 11% increase for all bargaining unit employees.”

Featured image: Dave Crosby via Flickr