Four South African police officers have been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery after allegedly stealing jewellery worth R20 million (N1.9 billion).
The accused officers—Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati—appeared before the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 3.
Four officers reportedly used their official uniforms and police vehicles to stage the robbery. They claimed they were searching for a wanted Nigerian national. During the heist, they allegedly stole valuable items, including Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory pieces, from the home of a wealthy Nigerian resident.
Their plot unravelled when they left fingerprints and DNA evidence at the scene, leading to their identification and subsequent arrest.
Additionally, the South African Police Service (SAPS) tracking system placed the officers’ vehicles at the crime scene despite attempts to use false plates on their cars.
According to sources, the arrested officers are part of a larger group of eight involved in the robbery, which appears to have been a premeditated operation. “They are based at different stations but formed a syndicate,” the source revealed.
The Provincial Community Police Board condemned the officers’ actions, calling it a betrayal of public trust.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests, stating that the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit handles the investigation. The robbery occurred in the early hours of September 14 in Sunset Avenue, Llandudno, and the case was initially reported at Hout Bay police station before being transferred for further investigation.
