Copper cable theft increases
Electrical copper cable theft is a bane of the Namibian electricity industry and according to the Namibian police (Nampol) the illegal activity is on the increase. Upon enquiry Nampol’s criminal investigation directorate said that the theft of electrical cable that contains copper in Namibia, “can be described as an increasing phenomena.”
Nampol insists that electrical copper cable theft needs to be treated as a serious national threat to infrastructure due to vandalism. It causes loss of service delivery and revenue for the relevant industries, and has a negative effect on the economy of the country says Nampol. “These incidents need a holistic intervention by all stakeholders to eradicate the escalation of copper cable theft,” the Namibian police said.
“The cases of theft of has indeed increased in recent years, due to the demand and high street market prices of copper which is an attributed factor to these type of theft,” answers from the police continued.
Specific statistics shared indicate that this year the central Khomas region looks set to surpass the Erongo region as the country’s copper cable theft hotspot. Specifically in 2025 of the total 272 cases of electrical copper cable theft reported, 78 where from the Erongo region, of which 63 cases led to arrests. By mid-March 2026, six cases had been reported from the Erongo region, and five arrests had been effected.
While 48 cases of copper cable theft were reported in the Khomas region throughout 2025, leading to 41 arrests, 28 cases had already been reported for 2026, with 14 arrests made in this regard in the Khomas region already this year.
Last year the Kavango East region was also targetted with 37 cases reported and eight arrests made, although so far for 2026, no cases have yet been reported there. By contrast, in Kavango West, where no cases were reported last year, two case have been reported for 2026 so far.
Other regions that experienced copper cable theft last year were Hardap where 23 cases were reported, //Karas with 16 cases, Ohangwena with 19 cases, Oshikoto with 24 cases and Otjozondjupa with 10 cases. Six cases were also reported in the Zambezi region, seven in Oshana, two for Omusati and two for Omaheke. No cases have been reported in the Kunene region last year or so far in 2026. In total 181 suspects were arrested in 2025, while 62 have been apprehended so far this year.
Nampol continues to engage stakeholders with collaborated efforts through public awareness raising and education on the danger and consequences of such theft and vandalism of electrical copper cables. “Our strategic approach includes strengthening partnerships with scrap metal dealers in collaborating with stakeholders like power utilities and the communication industry to collect intelligence and data on these theft patterns and modus operandi,” says the Namibian police.
Furthermore Nampol is affiliated to the Southern African Revenue Protection Association (SARPA), with the latest meeting that took place with all relevant stakeholders in Walvisbay on 10 March 2026. “During that regional meeting emphasis was directed towards infrastructure and copper theft, electricity and water revenue losses, meter tampering and illegal connections, and organized and non–organized crime affecting utilities,” Nampol reports. SARPA has an active presence in Namibia and South Africa and convenes annual branch meetings, technical workshops and stakeholder engagements in both countries to share best practices, intelligence and solutions, according to Nampol.
The police also assure that most related cases in Namibia are well prosecuted, “and culprits get convicted as per the merit of each case, which ranges from a high fine and direct imprisonment.” Nampol elaborates that although there is no specified penalty provisions for copper cable theft, “such cases are prosecuted under the common law provisions of theft, house breaking and trespassing.” Such penalties are influenced by the type, quantity, monetary value and previous convictions of the perpetrators involved.
However, for cases with elements related to the provisions under the Second Hand Goods Act,(Act 23/1998) as amended, the penalty clauses range from a fine not exceeding thirty thousand (N$30 000) or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three(3) years or both for first-time offenders. Culprits with second convictions get a fine not exceeding fifty thousand (N$50 000) or imprison not exceeding five years or both and in case of a third conviction offenders can be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years.
Nampol does receive necessary assistance from stakeholders, “however there is still room for improvement as collaboration and partnership is key to enhance effective prevention of copper (electrical) cables theft and vandalism thereof,” according to the directorate.
Nampol and its enforcement stakeholders have made notable recoveries of electrical copper cables in several cases. “When recoveries is made there are two options, one is to hand the recovered items, in the procedural manner, (back) to the person or entity whom it was stolen from, or if no ownership could be determined, it might be forfeited to the state for auctioning on public auctions, Nampol said.
The public can assist the police by reporting any incident of electrical copper cable theft to the police and, according to Nampol members of the public should know that their identities will not be revealed. Electricity utilities are urged to collaborate with and support the police during operations targeting these type of thefts, and to put preventative and detection measures, such as CCTV and alarm coverage, as well as security patrols, in the areas where such electrical copper wire installations exist. Employees and public awareness sessions are also encouraged.
