CCTV Footage Links Ekurhuleni Metro Police Chief to Copper Theft as Informant is Murdered

CCTV Evidence Links Ekurhuleni Police to Copper Theft, Informant Killed

A shocking revelation emerged at the Madlanga Commission on Monday as CCTV footage implicated acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi in an alleged copper theft, underscoring systemic issues of corruption within municipal law enforcement.

Copper theft caught on camera

Retired deputy chief Revo Spies, testifying before the commission, described footage showing Mkhwanazi and several metro officers at a workshop in Meyerton, where copper cables were allegedly stolen under the guise of a police operation.

“The operation was not recorded in any EMPD files, and there was no lawful seizure of copper,” Spies said. “What happened there was theft, pure and simple.”

The CCTV footage, provided by informant Jaco Hanekom, captured unmarked EMPD vehicles and a civilian accomplice identified only as Etienne participating in the raidan arrangement Spies called “highly irregular and illegal.” Civilians have no authority to take part in official police operations.

The informant who paid the ultimate price

Tragically, Hanekom, who handed the footage to Spies, was killed on the same day the officers were granted bail, in what appeared to be a drive-by shooting. The murder raises serious concerns about intimidation and silencing of whistleblowers within law enforcement circles.

Spies also revealed that the same officers later returned to seize the hard drive containing the footage, but unknown to them, Hanekom had already made a copy, which was subsequently handed to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigation.

EMPD overstepping its authority

Spies clarified that the EMPD has no legal power to seize copper or second-hand goods, a responsibility reserved for the South African Police Service (SAPS). One of the implicated officers has since resigned, but questions remain over accountability at the leadership level.

“The law is clear,” Spies said. “EMPD cannot conduct raids like this, yet here we see the chief leading the operation. It is deeply troubling and speaks to wider failures in oversight.”

Commission proceedings and public concern

The commission adjourned early on Monday, with Spies expected to continue his testimony on Tuesday. Public and social media reactions have been intense, with South Africans questioning whether municipal police leadership can be trusted to enforce the law while allegedly participating in serious crimes themselves.

Local media commentary has highlighted the broader implications for police integrity, citing the murder of Hanekom as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by whistleblowers and the need for systemic reform in oversight of metro police forces.

A broader pattern of concern

This case adds to growing scrutiny of municipal police units in South Africa, which have been previously criticised for lack of accountability, internal corruption, and collusion with civilians in criminal activity.

The Madlanga Commission now faces the task of piecing together evidence that not only implicates officers in theft but also addresses the murder of an informant, shining a harsh light on the perils of speaking out against law enforcement wrongdoing.

As testimony continues, the country watches closely, hoping the commission can uncover the truth and recommend measures to restore public trust in municipal policing.

{Source: IOL}

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