Botswana’s electricity grid is under increasing strain as cable theft and vandalism surge, with the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) reporting more than 1,800 new theft incidents this year alone and losses surpassing P100 million over the past five years.
These figures were shared by BPC’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Kefilwe Batsalelwang, in response to inquiries from the Weekend Post News Desk about the scale of the problem and its impact on power supply nationwide.
“Vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure remain a serious concern for the Corporation,” Batsalelwang said. “Incidents have been reported across the country, with particularly high levels in Gaborone, Mogoditshane/Mmopane, Kanye, Molepolole and Maun.” She added, “Cable theft and related vandalism have been reported across the country, with higher levels recorded in areas such as Gaborone, Mogoditshane/Mmopane, Kanye, Molepolole and Maun. Over the past five years, BPC has incurred losses exceeding P100 million from cable theft and related vandalism. Cable theft can cause unplanned power outages, requiring emergency repairs and restoration.”
The latest BPC data underscores how cable theft has evolved into a widespread infrastructure challenge, extending beyond electricity to affect water and telecommunications systems as well. The illicit scrap-metal trade is increasingly blamed for fueling this surge in theft by creating strong financial incentives.
The financial toll is substantial. Over five years, BPC has reported losses topping P100 million, covering stolen cables, repairs, replacements, and operational disruptions. Government data presented in Parliament by Minister of Minerals and Energy Bogolo Kenewendo revealed that BPC recorded 11,491 cable-theft incidents between 2021 and 2025, with losses exceeding P88 million.
The yearly figures reveal a sharp rise in both incidents and costs. In 2021, BPC documented 1,070 thefts costing roughly P9.8 million. By 2023, incidents ballooned to 4,467 with losses around P34 million. In 2024, 2,695 cases led to P24 million in damages, and 2,610 thefts recorded in 2025 had already cost about P14 million.
Francistown has also become a hotspot. Between April 2025 and mid-2026, BPC reported 624 cable theft cases in the city, with estimated losses of P6.864 million. Yet, the monetary figures tell only part of the story. Cable theft disrupts power supply unexpectedly, inconveniencing customers and forcing BPC to divert resources from routine operations to emergency repairs and infrastructure replacement.
In response, BPC is deploying a mix of administrative, security, and engineering measures, while strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and communities. The Corporation continues to run public awareness campaigns highlighting the consequences of vandalism and urging the public to report suspicious activity. Security personnel have been placed at critical sites, and the legislative framework is under review to bolster deterrence and enforcement.
Technological solutions are also being pursued. “BPC is progressively deploying surveillance technologies across the country to monitor and protect critical assets, including transformers and substations,” Batsalelwang said. Additionally, the Corporation is installing anti-vandalism cables designed to have low resale value in the scrap market, reducing the financial lure for thieves. “BPC was increasingly turning to technology and specially designed cables to make infrastructure more difficult to steal and less attractive to scrap dealers,” she added.
Cable theft no longer stands as just a security issue for infrastructure. Its hidden costs ripple through higher repair bills, operational setbacks, and strained public resources, while communities suffer unreliable electricity services. BPC is urging greater cooperation among customers, law enforcement, communities, and other stakeholders to prevent vandalism, improve reporting, and help bring perpetrators to justice.
With theft rampant in both urban and rural areas, enforcement alone may not suffice. The success of BPC’s strategy will hinge on a coordinated approach blending surveillance, tougher penalties, community vigilance, and reducing scrap-metal resale incentives to make power infrastructure a less tempting target.