Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
19 June 2025 | 09:30 CAT

📷 Empowering Metro Police: A proposed policy aims to bolster the fight against rampant copper theft by granting officers authority to inspect second-hand dealers, a move experts say must be matched with oversight to prevent corruption.

The escalating crisis of copper theft in South Africa has prompted a renewed push for stronger enforcement, with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu proposing that Metro Police officers be given extended powers. The proposal comes amid mounting concerns that copper theft estimated at over 150 tons annually, crippling infrastructure development and delaying hundreds of public projects.

“Copper theft has wreaked havoc on South Africa’s hubs,” said Minister Mchunu, highlighting the devastating effects on services from air conditioning to essential electrical systems.

Currently, the Metro Police are largely restricted to enforcing municipal bylaws and conducting traffic policing. However, under Mchunu’s proposed changes, these officers would be empowered to carry out routine inspections at second-hand dealerships, a key node in the illegal copper trade.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Criminologist Dr. Simon Howell welcomed the proposal, saying, “It’s a good idea to empower Metro Police, particularly in terms of copper theft… They offer a lot of resources and have traction within communities.” He stressed, however, that accountability and structured oversight are crucial to ensure fairness and efficacy.

Dr. Howell noted that while Metro Police currently may detain individuals, they cannot charge suspects — a function reserved for SAPS. The reforms would allow for more “robust engagement with different aspects of criminal activity,” thereby expanding the scope of Metro policing beyond routine bylaw enforcement.

Training will be essential, Howell said, noting that officers would need to understand how to properly identify illicit scrap metal and navigate second-hand dealership environments. “There will be programs and some upskilling needed,” he explained, particularly due to varying bylaws across municipalities.

Despite the potential benefits, critics have raised alarms over corruption. Dr. Howell acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Some people’s experiences of Metro Police and SAPS are fundamentally bad… If officers are just left to their own devices, the door is open for corruption.”

To avoid abuse, he recommends a careful rollout with clear oversight mechanisms, saying, “It’s not just about putting boots on the ground. It’s about strengthening the administrative processes and systems as well.”

The proposal has sparked important conversations about the role of policing in South Africa  and whether the country’s decentralised law enforcement structures can rise to meet the challenge of organised criminal networks profiting off copper theft.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Moulana NJunaid Kharsany and Dr Simon Howell.