Four South African policemen face trial after ‘stealing Nigerian’s N1.9b Jewellery’

FIJ

The South African police has arrested and arraigned four of its officers for stealing jewellery worth R20 million, approximately N1.9 billion, from a yet-to-be-named Nigerian.

According to iol.co.za, an online newspaper in South Africa, the robbery incident took place on September 14.

The officers involved are Jacobus Groenewald, Bradley Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya and Bathandwa Soldati.

All four policemen face a robbery with aggravating circumstances charge. The officers were said to have invaded the Nigerian’s residence in Llandudno, Cape Town, to steal the jewellery.

During a bail application hearing on Thursday, Groenewald, one of the accused policemen, claimed he acted based on the information he had received from an informant.

Groenewald, who had been a police officer for seventeen years, also claimed if he had gone to the Nigerian’s apartment to rob, he would have worn gloves and not left fingerprints behind.

The officers were arrested by the police’s anti-corruption unit after they had been accused of staging the robbery in the victim’s house. Two of them wore masks while two did not.

Groenewald told the court on Thursday that he instructed one of the officers to wear “a balaclava because he is known to the suspects”.

Local reports stated a source familiar with the case noted how the officers left fingerprints all over the house as they stole Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds and ivory items.

“Those caught are four of eight officers behind this whole thing,” the source claimed.

“They went to the home of a rich Nigerian and told those in the house they are 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.

“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.”

Hearing on the case will continue on October 15.

THIS STORY FIRST APPEARED IN FIJ