Accused in R14.9m precious-stones case say they followed orders from suspended EMPD brigadier

Two men facing charges in connection with the alleged R14.9 million seizure of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones told the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court they were acting on instructions from suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi.

Who, what and where

The accused, EMPD officer Adrian MacKenzie and former EMPD officer Kersha-Leigh Stols, are charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud over an incident at a flat in Killarney, Johannesburg on February 11, 2023. The State alleges the complainant was assaulted, witnesses were threatened with firearms and six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones, valued at an estimated R14.9 million, were taken.

State’s allegations about the operation

The State says MacKenzie and Stols falsely presented themselves as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team made up of officials from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to gain entry to the property. Prosecutors say the pair acted outside the EMPD’s lawful jurisdiction and falsely claimed they were authorised to conduct operations in the City of Johannesburg.

Accused say they followed orders

In affidavits read in court by defence lawyer Crystal Keevy, both accused said they were following instructions from Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi. Stols told the court that on February 11, 2023, she and MacKenzie received a telephone call from a woman before a man identified himself as Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi of the EMPD. She said they were told to meet Mkhwanazi at a Nando’s on Michelle Avenue in Alberton.

Stols said Mkhwanazi introduced them there to a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer later identified in testimony as “Witness K“. According to Stols, Witness K said information had been received that someone was unlawfully in possession of the stones and instructed them to confiscate the consignment.

Stols said they reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) before travelling to the Killarney property and that an occurrence book (OB) entry was made recording they would be operating outside the EMPD’s jurisdiction. She said they went to the address in full uniform, identified themselves and confiscated the six boxes of stones. She said their plan to book the exhibits into SAPS custody 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,”

Related testimony and denials

The allegations involving Mkhwanazi were previously raised at the Madlanga Commission, where protected witness “Witness K”, an inspector attached to the JMPD’s VIP Protection Unit, testified that Mkhwanazi orchestrated the robbery. Witness K told the commission she, Mkhwanazi and a three-person team carried out the robbery, were paid R110,000 for the stolen stones and 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. The source says he has not been arrested in connection with the alleged robbery.

Court outcome and conditions

The State withdrew charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt; he was released after spending 10 days in custody. Prosecutors did not oppose bail for MacKenzie and Stols, saying both had handed themselves over to police and were not considered flight risks.

Magistrate Annelise Thlapi granted bail of R5,000 each. Their bail conditions include that 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.

Personal details raised in court

MacKenzie 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 had been receiving chemotherapy for the past four weeks.

Stols raised concerns about her health in custody, saying she suffers from bipolar disorder and had not received her medication. She said she had developed “extensive and painful sores” in her mouth that made it difficult to eat and that her family’s request to provide her with Listerine was refused.

Next steps

The case will continue with further investigation ahead of the August 25 court appearance.