Four South African police officers accused of robbing a Nigerian man's home in Cape Town and stealing R20 million worth of jewelry have been remanded in custody following the postponement of their bail hearing. The accused, Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati, appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on October 3, 2024, facing charges of aggravated robbery.
The officers, who are part of the Operation Restore Unit stationed across Cape Town, were arrested over the past two weeks by the Anti-Corruption Unit. They are accused of staging the robbery at the home of a well-known Nigerian rapper in Llandudno on September 14. According to reports, eight police officers were involved in the crime, with the four arrested officers allegedly using their official South African Police Service (SAPS) uniforms and vehicles to carry out the heist.
A source revealed that the officers pretended to be conducting a search for a wanted Nigerian but instead stole luxury items, including Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory, leaving their fingerprints at the scene. The suspects reportedly used state vehicles with false license plates, but the SAPS tracking system helped link them to the crime.
SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests, stating that the case was transferred to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit. "An investigation by seasoned detectives led to the arrest of the police members over time," he said.
The officers have been linked to the crime through fingerprints and DNA evidence. The Western Cape police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, commended the investigation team for their swift action, stating that officers are meant to protect the public and uphold the law, not abuse state resources for criminal activities.
The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Forum (CPF) also condemned the actions of the officers, with spokesperson Justin Kumlehn calling it a "shameful betrayal of trust" that erodes public confidence in law enforcement.
The bail hearings were postponed to October 10, as Soldati was newly added to the charge sheet after his fingerprints were found at the scene, and he required time to consult with his legal team.
The investigation continues, with authorities working closely with local community organizations to address the incident.
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