Investigating Cable Theft Challenges in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Description

Page: 1240-1246

Maria Matshidiso Kanjere and Mkateko Cliffton Maswanganyi (Turfloop Graduate School of Leadership, University of Limpopo, South Africa)

Reported incidences of cable theft in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality have been alarming. The management of the municipality has been fighting with various innovative practices of combating theft. To investigate the current practices used in the fight against the stealing of cables in the City of Tshwane municipality. Replacement of stolen and vandalised cables is a huge cost to the City of Tshwane and therefore erodes the municipality’s financial capacity to deliver its services efficiently and effectively. The phenomenological research paradigm, with a qualitative research approach was used in the study; A case study design helped to focus the study on the city of Tshwane. Researchers managed to study the dimensions of cable theft by dissecting its many layers that affect local communities. As a result, the researchers portrayed the multifaceted form of cable theft. The management of the City of Tshwane is more reactional and not pro-active when combating cable theft. There is minimal space for innovation as managers work in silos, instead of working collaboratively to combat cable theft. If efforts to combat cable theft are not approached in a collaborative form, the battle of combating cable theft will not be easily won. The study offers a reflection on current managerial practices to combat cable theft in the City of Tshwane, to present several recommendations that will improve practice.