South African police officer arrested over $923,750 precious stones theft

A South African police officer and a businessman have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of precious metals and stones during a purported police operation in 2023.

The pair were arrested over the weekend by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which alleges they were among six people who raided an apartment in Killarney, Johannesburg, in February 2023 and removed precious metals and stones valued at just under R15 million ($923,750).

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said investigators were pursuing the remaining suspects after one member of the group died.

"The six suspects raided a property in Killarney, Johannesburg, without a warrant, and then they seized precious metals, just under R15 million. Instead of registering them in the SAPS occurrence book, they kept themselves."

Madlanga Commission

State broadcaster SABC reports the arrests follow testimony made before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, an ongoing judicial inquiry investigating allegations of corruption, criminality and interference within South Africa's law enforcement and criminal justice institutions.

A witness identified only as Witness K told the commission that she, suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, and four others conspired to carry out the raid staged as a police operation. According to the testimony, the group was allegedly paid R110,000 for the operation.

IPID said it is continuing its search for the two remaining suspects, while testimony before the commission also implicates suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the alleged theft.

The arrested suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.