The Green Energy Copper War taking place on the streets of South Africa | Foreign Correspondent

It's the billion-dollar crime you’ve never heard of – copper theft. And it's causing chaos in South Africa. Across the country police and armed private contractors are waging war on the criminals and gangs who are cashing in on one of the world’s most sought-after metals.

On Foreign Correspondent reporter Tom Joyner embeds with South African law enforcement as they hunt down the thieves who are stealing copper from the country’s essential infrastructure. The crime is causing serious disruptions to energy supply, transportation and telecommunications. Copper is critical to the production of clean energy technology, but a global shortage is driving its price to record heights. A thriving black market for copper has emerged, encouraging criminals to risk their lives to steal it.

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