JMPD officer and EMPD deputy chief granted R5,000 bail in precious stones case

Suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer known as Witness K were granted bail of R5,000 each by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, The Citizen reports. The pair appeared in court on 21 July 2026 as part of ongoing bail proceedings linked to a high‑value gemstone seizure.

Who is charged and what are the allegations?

According to The Citizen, Mkhwanazi and Witness K were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, fraud and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They were detained at Germiston Police Station overnight before the court appearance.

Details of the operation at the centre of the case

The Citizen reports the matter centres on an operation at Peter Prinsloo’s apartment in Killarney, Johannesburg on 11 February 2023, during which six boxes of sugilite and manganese stones valued at R14.9 million were seized. The publication says the gemstones were allegedly sold for R110,000, and that the proceeds were divided equally so that each person received R22,000.

Bail conditions and next court date

The magistrate set bail at R5,000 for both Mkhwanazi and Witness K, finding no indication that either posed a flight risk, The Citizen reports. As part of their bail conditions, they are prohibited from contacting state witnesses and must report weekly to their nearest police stations. Proceedings have been adjourned until 25 August, when the former couple is expected to appear alongside EMPD officers Adrian MacKenzie and Kersha‑Leigh Stols.

Other accused and related developments

The Citizen says EMPD officers Adrian MacKenzie and Kersha‑Leigh Stols were previously granted bail of R5,000 each, while charges against private security officer Etienne van der Walt have been withdrawn.

Claims made in affidavits and at the Madlanga commission

According to The Citizen, Mkhwanazi claimed in an affidavit that Witness K had implicated him at the Madlanga commission out of resentment after their relationship ended. The Citizen also reports that Witness K told the Madlanga commission the robbery was carried out after she had exhausted her savings and could no longer afford to pay for Mkhwanazi’s personal expenses, including groceries, legal fees and his children’s school tuition.

Reaction from defence

The Citizen quotes Witness K’s attorney, Oscar Thovhakale, saying:

“We are happy [because] R5 000 is within reach and we are going to pay for [it],”

and noting he had no comment on Mkhwanazi’s affidavit allegations.

Mkhwanazi’s other legal matters

The Citizen reports Mkhwanazi is facing charges in two other matters: one alleging the unlawful installation of blue lights on vehicles linked to an alleged cartel figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, which is before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court; and a fraud and corruption matter in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court related to a traffic violation involving Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla. The publication says he remains out on bail of R50,000 and R30,000 in those respective cases.