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Surging world prices for rechargeable batteries are being blamed for the growing theft of lithium cells from mobile phone towers in Botswana.
The country’s biggest mobile operator, Mascom Wireless, said the thefts were compromising the quality of its service to subscribers.
On Tuesday, the Botswana police said they had arrested four men from Zimbabwe caught with 40 batteries worth nearly $80,000 (£67,000).