By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Four South African Police officers accused of pulling off a R20 million jewelry heist at a Nigerian man’s house in Llandudno, Cape Town, have been sent to prison after their bail hearing was postponed to next week.
Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya and Bathandwa Soldati appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, October 3, 2024, on aggravated robbery charges after they were busted by the Anti-Corruption Unit over the past two weeks.
The officers, who form part of the Operation Restore Unit and are stationed across Cape Town, are accused of staging a robbery at the home of a popular Nigerian rapper, who has yet to be named.
This week, Western Cape police revealed that following the robbery of the homeowner on September 14, a massive investigation led to the arrest of the four cops.
The arrested cops are part of a group of eight who allegedly used their official SAPS uniforms and vehicles to carry out house robberies in the upmarket suburb.
“Those caught are four of eight officers behind this whole thing,” the source told iol.co.za
“They went to the home of a rich Nigerian and told those in the house they were searching for a wanted Nigerian but instead they stole jewellery valued at R20 million.
“They are so stupid they left their fingerprints all over the house as they stole Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds and ivory items. It was all brand names. But they definitely planned the robbery. They are based at different stations but basically they formed a syndicate,” the source said.
The source told the publication that the suspects were dressed in full uniform and even used state vehicles in the robbery.
“They actually placed false plates on the SAPS vehicles but were caught because the SAPS tracking system placed them on the scene.
“In the police your DNA and fingerprints are recorded and that is how they were linked after the homeowner opened a case.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests and said they were investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit.
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