SAPS Launches Urgent Safety Campaign in Promosa Following Fatal "Scrap" Explosion
- Karen Scheepers
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
A tragic accident involving discarded military hardware has sparked an urgent public safety intervention in the North West. Following the death of a young man earlier this month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has moved to educate the community on the hidden lethality of unidentified metal objects.
The Incident: A Fatal Miscalculation
The safety drive follows a "freak accident" on the evening of Saturday, 10 January 2026. According to North West police officials, a 22-year-old man was in his yard attempting to process metal for recycling.
The victim was reportedly using an electric angle grinder to cut through a piece of metal when a massive explosion rocked the neighborhood. Neighbors who rushed to investigate found the young man lying on the ground with multiple open wounds; he was unresponsive. Despite being rushed to the Promosa Clinic, he was tragically declared dead on arrival.
Forensic Findings: The "Nose Fuse"
The SAPS Bomb Disposal Unit was immediately dispatched to the scene to sweep for further hazards. Their investigation recovered shrapnel that was identified as the nose fuse of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) device.
Fuses are among the most sensitive parts of any explosive. Even if an old shell appears rusted or "dead," the internal firing mechanism, often containing primary explosives, can be triggered by the heat and vibration of power tools like grinders.
Targeted Awareness Campaign
In response, the Potchefstroom Explosives Unit, the Community Policing Forum (CPF), and the Ikageng police station held an educational drive on 25 January. Experts set up a display of various devices to show the community that dangerous ordnance often looks like harmless scrap.
Police issued a stern warning against the collection of metal in areas located near military training facilities. These zones are often littered with Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) that failed to detonate during exercises.
A Plea for Vigilance
Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, emphasized the police’s commitment to clearing illegal explosives but noted that public cooperation is vital.
“We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution,” Naidoo stated. “Refrain from collecting unidentified items for recycling. What looks like a piece of scrap metal could be a deadly device waiting for a spark.”
Safety Reminders:
Never Use Tools on Unknown Metal: Grinding, hammering, or heating unidentified metal is extremely dangerous.
Avoid Restricted Zones: Stay away from military range boundaries.
Report Finds: If you see an object that looks like a shell, pipe, or fuse, do not touch it. Contact the SAPS immediately.
Final Note:
The risk to Promosa is uniquely high due to its geographical proximity to active military training facilities, specifically those used for heavy artillery exercises. Over years of training maneuvers, unexploded shells can remain buried or hidden in the surrounding veld, long after the soldiers have left.
For a community where many residents may look to scrap metal collection as a source of income, these training grounds become unintentional "minefields." The combination of accessible military debris and the use of industrial tools like angle grinders creates a volatile environment where a single mistake can lead to the kind of tragedy witnessed on January 10.
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