Three accused in R14.9m precious stones robbery to apply for bail

Three suspects in an alleged R14.9 million precious stones robbery are expected to apply for bail at the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, according to IOL.

Who is charged and where the case stands

According to IOL, the accused are Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officers Adrian Mackenzie and Ettienne van der Walt, and businesswoman Kersha-Leigh Stols. They have been in custody for more than a week after surrendering to police in connection with the matter.

The State is expected to oppose bail for all three accused, and the matter was postponed to July 16 for formal bail applications, IOL reports.

Allegations and charges

According to IOL and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges arise from an incident on February 11, 2023, at premises in Killarney, Johannesburg. It is alleged the trio posed as members of a multidisciplinary law enforcement team made up of officials from the EMPD and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), claiming they were investigating suspected lithium smuggling.

“It is alleged that, through these false representations, the accused gained access to the premises, where they assaulted the complainant and threatened them with firearms,”

said Gauteng NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole, according to IOL.

The accused are further alleged to have robbed the complainant of six boxes containing high-grade sugilite and manganese stones, commonly referred to as precious stones, with an estimated value of approximately R14.9 million, IOL reports. It is also alleged the EMPD officials acted outside their lawful jurisdiction and falsely claimed they were authorised to conduct law enforcement operations within the City of Johannesburg.

Developments and related proceedings

On July 6, IOL reported that Stols became the third accused after surrendering to police at Addendale Police Station. She made her first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court later that day and was charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud, IOL says. The State successfully applied to join Stols as the third accused alongside Mackenzie and Van der Walt.

IOL also reports the arrests followed testimony before the Madlanga Commission by a witness identified as Witness K, who implicated suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the alleged robbery. Mkhwanazi has not been criminally charged in connection with the case, IOL notes.

Next steps

The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court will hear the formal bail applications on July 16, with the State expected to oppose bail for all three accused, according to IOL. The accused are expected to apply for bail on Thursday; the source does not give a specific date for that Thursday.

Editor’s note: The source headline mistakenly states “R149 million,” but the article text and court documents indicate the correct amount is R14.9 million.