Structural security is overlooked at SA’s peril

RECENTLY, Eskom pylons fell on the N4 national route, causing massive blackouts across areas of South Africa’s economic powerhouse, Gauteng.

The cause of failure of these pylons has been attributed to damage to the structural integrity of these structures caused by stripping key structural elements of the pylons.

The impact of this failure is evident in the economic damage to the areas suffering electricity blackouts and on the blockading of one of the busiest highways in the country. What may not be so evident is the impact on the supply chains dependent on a lot of the affected businesses.

The failure of these pylons is not a unique case, as we have seen other infrastructure, including water treatment plants, railway infrastructure, and electricity cables, that have been looted of critical infrastructure, rendering some obsolete.

One of the main causes of infrastructure insecurity in South Africa is crime. The country has a high crime rate, which includes theft and vandalism of infrastructure.

While there has been some success in prosecutions on infrastructure vandalisation, with the National Prosecuting Authority successfully securing 193 convictions, with harsh sentencing, the impact of the large-scale looting of the nation’s infrastructure is growing at a larger rate, with the direct economic impact growing as well.

The annual damage from copper cable theft from rail and electricity networks alone is estimated at R45 billion. In addition to the economic impact, there is the social impact as the damage to this infrastructure often leads to unsafe circumstances while also reducing the quality of life for society.

Infrastructure insecurity can have a significant economic impact on a country, both in the short term and the long term.

Investors may be hesitant to invest in a country with inadequate or unreliable infrastructure, which can result in reduced job creation and economic activity.

In addition, infrastructure insecurity can lead to decreased quality of life, which can make a country less attractive to investors, businesses, and skilled workers.

Infrastructure insecurity can also lead to increased social and economic inequality, particularly for vulnerable populations who rely on critical infrastructure for their livelihoods. For example, if a water treatment plant fails due to infrastructure vandalism, it can lead to a water crisis that disproportionately affects low-income communities.

The cost of replacing stolen infrastructure components is also high, resulting in increased costs for government and ultimately for consumers.

The prioritisation of infrastructure security is sometimes overlooked because of competing constraints. Government and state-owned enterprises have limited resources, and consequently may prioritise other areas over infrastructure security.

There is an urgent need for investment in technological measures to protect infrastructure assets from vandalism.

This requires collaboration between government, the private sector, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing infrastructure insecurity and ensuring the country’s infrastructure remains resilient and secure.