Four South African police officers have been imprisoned after their bail hearing was postponed until next week, following their arrest for allegedly staging a R20 million jewelry heist at the home of a Nigerian national in Llandudno, Cape Town.
The officers, identified as Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 3, 2024, facing aggravated robbery charges. The group, members of the Operation Restore Unit stationed across Cape Town, were apprehended by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit in connection with the robbery, which took place on September 14.
The officers are accused of raiding the home of a prominent Nigerian rapper, whose identity remains undisclosed, under the guise of searching for a wanted suspect. Instead, they allegedly made off with luxury items, including Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory pieces, amounting to R20 million in value.
A source familiar with the investigation revealed that the arrested officers are part of a larger group of eight involved in similar robberies across Cape Town's upscale neighborhoods. "They used their SAPS uniforms and official vehicles with falsified plates to carry out the crime, but they left behind crucial evidence, including fingerprints," the source said.
Following the robbery, the homeowner filed a case with Hout Bay police, which was transferred to the Anti-Corruption Unit. A police tracking system confirmed the presence of the officers' vehicles at the crime scene, leading to their arrest. Soldati, whose fingerprints were found on the scene, was the most recent addition to the charge sheet.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests and praised the swift action of the investigative team. "The arrests of these officers reflect our commitment to rooting out corruption within SAPS," he said.
Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile also commended the detectives involved, stating, "This should serve as a warning to any officer thinking they can abuse state resources for personal gain."
The officers were due to apply for bail on Thursday, but proceedings were postponed to October 10 after Soldati requested more time to consult with his legal team.
The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Forum (CPF) Board condemned the officers’ actions, with spokesperson Justin Kumlehn labeling it a "betrayal of trust." He added, "Corruption among law enforcement breaks the bond between police and the community and erodes public confidence."
Chairperson of the Llandudno Special Ratings Area, Kiki Loubser, confirmed the incident, stating that the local community was working closely with the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch and SAPS to ensure the case is handled appropriately.
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