Three suspects accused of posing as law enforcement officers to allegedly rob a complainant of precious stones worth R14.9 million are expected to apply for bail in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
The trio, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers Adrian Mackenzie and Ettienne van der Walt, and businesswoman Kersha-Leigh Stols have been in custody for more than a week after surrendering to police in connection with the case.
The State is expected to oppose bail for all three accused.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges relate to an incident on February 11, 2023, at premises in Killarney, Johannesburg.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said it is alleged that the accused falsely presented themselves as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team made up of officials from the EMPD and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), claiming they were investigating suspected lithium smuggling.
“It is alleged that, through these false representations, the accused gained access to the premises, where they assaulted the complainant and threatened them with firearms,” said Mohlatlole.
The accused are further alleged to have robbed the complainant of six boxes containing high-grade sugilite and manganese stones, commonly referred to as precious stones, with an estimated value of approximately R14.9 million.
He said it is also alleged the EMPD officials acted outside their lawful jurisdiction and falsely claimed they were authorized to conduct law enforcement operations within the City of Johannesburg.
On July 6, IOL News reported that Stols, became the third accused in the case after surrendering to police at Addendale Police Station.
She made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court later that day and was charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
Mohlatlole said the State successfully applied to join Stols as the third accused alongside and Van der Walt.
The matter was postponed to July 16 for formal bail applications.
The arrests followed testimony before the Madlanga Commission by a witness identified as Witness K, who implicated suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the alleged robbery.
However, Mkhwanazi has not been criminally charged in connection with the case.
