Persons found to be vandalising and stealing from telecommunications company sites will soon face increased penalties.

Telecoms minister Daryl Vaz gave the update today while making his contribution to the sectoral debate.

It comes in the wake of complaints from the country’s 2 main telecommunications providers about the problem of vandalism and theft, resulting in millions in losses.

Vaz said the bill to amend the penalties act was tabled in the lower house today.