By Rorisang Modiba
Fibre network owners in South Africa have discovered to their alarm that criminals are stealing their glass optic fibre cables, whose strands are as thin as a human hair, and crushing them to mix into nyaope to add more cheap weight and volume to the drug.
Nyaope, also known as whoonga, is a popular township drug that emerged in the 2000s and consists of a mix of low-grade heroin and cannabis. It can also contain antiretroviral drugs and dangerous bulking agents such as ground-up glass or cleaning powders.
A report by MyBroadband reveals that as fibre internet is being installed in poorer areas, cable theft is becoming a problem.
Fibre network owner Frogfoot Networks said that in poorer areas, where they’re trying to provide affordable, uncapped internet, it is facing issues with gangs trying to force them into giving them contracts through threats and kidnappings.
“There are also crime syndicates who specialise in theft of equipment, alternative power sources, and copper,” Frogfoot said.
“They use professional methods in their approach and sell most equipment across the border.”
Herotel and MetroFibre mentioned similar problems.
“Theft of equipment, vandalism and threats to our staff and contractors by construction mafia or community forums are the key crime challenges we experience,” MetroFibre optical assurance
manager Johan Booysen said.
Pictured above: Fibre lines.
Image source: Stock
