Two people accused of participating in the alleged robbery of precious stones worth R14.9 million have told the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court they acted on instructions they claim were given by suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi.
The allegations emerged during the bail application of EMPD officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stols, who face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
The pair were arrested in connection with an incident at a a flat in Killarney, Johannesburg, on February 11, 2023.
According to the State, MacKenzie and Stols falsely presented themselves as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team comprising officials from the EMPD and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), claiming they were investigating suspected lithium smuggling.
The State alleges they used those representations to gain entry to the property before assaulting the complainant, threatening those present with firearms and taking six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones valued at an estimated R14.9 million.
Prosecutors further allege the pair acted outside the EMPD’s lawful jurisdiction while falsely claiming they were authorised to conduct law enforcement operations within the City of Johannesburg.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the State withdrew the charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt, who had also been arrested in the matter.
Van der Walt was released after spending 10 days in custody. The prosecution did not oppose bail for MacKenzie and Stols, telling the court that both had handed themselves over to police and were not considered flight risks.
In affidavits read to the court by defence lawyer Crystal Keevy, both accused maintained they had carried out instructions from their superior, Brigadier Mkhwanazi.
Stols said that on February 11, 2023, she and MacKenzie first received a telephone call from a woman before a man identified himself as Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi of the EMPD.
Image: Simon Majadibodu/IOL
“I put the phone on loudspeaker and Mkhwanazi informed us that we were to meet him at the Nando’s on Michelle Avenue in Alberton,” she said.
According to Stols, they met Mkhwanazi there, where he introduced them to a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer later identified as “Witness K”.
She said Witness K told them information had been received that a person was unlawfully in possession of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones and instructed them to confiscate the consignment.
Before travelling to the Killarney property, Stols said they reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), where an occurrence book (OB) entry was made recording that they would be operating outside the EMPD’s jurisdiction.
She told the court they then went to the address in full uniform, identified themselves and confiscated the six boxes of stones.
Stols said they intended booking the exhibits into SAPS custody, but that plan changed when, she alleged, Mkhwanazi arrived at the property and instructed them to return to the Nando’s in Alberton.
“As Mkhwanazi was our superior, no questions could be asked and we proceeded to carry out his instructions,” she said.
MacKenzie also told the court he is married with two children, aged 15 and 10.
He said his youngest son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in July 2025 and has been receiving chemotherapy for the past four weeks.
Stols also raised concerns about her health while in custody, telling the court she suffers from bipolar disorder and had not received her medication.
“I have developed extensive and painful sores in my mouth, which have made it difficult to eat. My family’s request to provide me with Listerine was refused,” she said.
The allegations involving Mkhwanazi first surfaced publicly during testimony before the Madlanga Commission in June, when protected witness “Witness K”, an inspector attached to the JMPD’s VIP Protection Unit, alleged that Mkhwanazi orchestrated the robbery.
Witness K testified that she, Mkhwanazi and a three-person team carried out the robbery and were paid R110,000 for the stolen stones. She further alleged they later met at a car wash to divide the proceeds.
Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations, rejecting claims that he met Witness K at a car wash or received any of the money. He has not been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery.
Magistrate Annelise Thlapi granted MacKenzie and Stols bail of R5,000 each.
As part of their bail conditions, they may not communicate with or intimidate State witnesses, must surrender their passports, and must report every Monday to the Nigel and Meyerton police stations.
The matter was postponed to August 25 for further investigation.
