Four SAPS officers and informer jailed for R1.2m Randburg robbery and kidnapping

Four South African Police Service officers and a police informer have each been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for their roles in a R1.2-million robbery and the kidnapping of three foreign nationals during an unlawful operation in Randburg.

Who was convicted and the sentence

The Randburg Magistrate’s Court convicted Walter Enow Agbor, Tebogo Michael Moeketse, Choema Eric Moabelo, Isram Moaone Phala and Kagiso Arthur Masibi on multiple charges including robbery, corruption, kidnapping, theft and defeating the ends of justice. The court imposed sentences totalling 38 years’ imprisonment which were ordered to run concurrently, producing an effective sentence of 15 years’ direct imprisonment for each accused, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

Details of the unlawful operation

The offences arose from an unlawful operation conducted in Randburg on 08 May 2018, during which approximately R1.2 million was stolen from a Nigerian national and two Congolese nationals. The NPA said the matter was investigated by Captain Phatlane of the Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) Unit in the Vaal Rand after information was received.

Investigation findings

Investigators found that no lawful arrests had been effected, no criminal cases had been registered, and the money allegedly seized during the operation could not be accounted for. Some of the accused were found in possession of cash linked to the crime, while others were apprehended while attempting to create a false paper trail to conceal their involvement. The probe uncovered what the NPA described as a coordinated scheme involving the unlawful seizure of money, the kidnapping of the victims, and deliberate efforts to obstruct the administration of justice.

Role of the accused and prosecution

During sentencing, Senior Public Prosecutor Yusuf Baba argued in aggravation and asked the court to impose a severe penalty, saying the accused had a constitutional and legal duty to uphold and enforce the law but instead abused their positions. The NPA noted that four of the accused were police officials, including two members of the Provincial Investigating Unit and two Yeoville detectives.

Asset forfeiture and NPA response

The NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit obtained a confiscation order in terms of Section 18 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), resulting in R282,500 seized during the investigation being forfeited to the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA). NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole praised the prosecution and investigating teams, saying their work reinforced public confidence in the criminal justice system and the rule of law.