Four police officers who robbed a Nigerian of jewelry worth R20million (N1.9billion) have been arrested in South Africa.
The officers’ names were Bathandwa Soldati, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed the arrests and said they were investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit.
He said, “On September 14 at about 1.35am a house robbery occurred at the premises of a foreign national in Sunset Avenue, Llandudno, allegedly involving several Police officers. This case was reported at Hout Bay police and transferred to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation.”
They have all appeared at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 3.
The officers reportedly used their official uniforms and vehicles to stage the robbery, claiming they were searching for a wanted Nigerian national.
However, they left fingerprints and DNA evidence, which was used to trace them and orchestrate their arrest.
An unidentified source said there were actually eight officers behind the incident.
“Those caught are four of eight officers behind this whole thing.
“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 pieces of 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.
“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,” the source said.
The Provincial Community Police Board described their actions as a betrayal of trust and an erosion of public confidence.
