Four police officers in South Africa have been jailed after their bail hearing was postponed until next week. They were arrested for allegedly orchestrating a R20 million jewelry theft from the home of a Nigerian national in Llandudno, Cape Town.
The officers—Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati—appeared in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 3, 2024, facing charges of aggravated robbery. They are part of the Operation Restore Unit, which operates in Cape Town, and were detained by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit for their involvement in the robbery that occurred on September 14.
These officers are accused of breaking into the home of a well-known Nigerian rapper, whose identity has not been disclosed, under the pretense of searching for a wanted individual. Instead, they allegedly stole luxury items such as Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory pieces, totaling R20 million.
A source involved in the investigation noted that the arrested officers are part of a larger group of eight suspected of similar robberies in affluent areas of Cape Town. “They used their SAPS uniforms and official vehicles with fake license plates to commit the crime, but they left behind significant evidence, including fingerprints,” the source stated.
After the robbery, the homeowner reported the incident to Hout Bay police, which led to the case being handed over to the Anti-Corruption Unit. A police tracking system confirmed that the officers’ vehicles were present at the crime scene, resulting in their arrest. Soldati, whose fingerprints were found at the location, was the last to be added to the charges.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests and praised the investigative team’s quick response. “These arrests demonstrate our dedication to eliminating corruption within SAPS,” he said.
Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile also lauded the detectives involved, warning that this should deter any officers contemplating the misuse of state resources for personal benefit.
The officers were scheduled to apply for bail on Thursday, but the hearing was postponed to October 10 at Soldati’s request for more time to consult with his legal counsel.
The Western Cape Provincial Community Police Forum (CPF) Board condemned the officers’ actions, with spokesperson Justin Kumlehn calling it a “betrayal of trust.” He emphasized that corruption within law enforcement damages the relationship between police and the community and undermines public confidence.
Kiki Loubser, chairperson of the Llandudno Special Ratings Area, confirmed the incident, noting that the local community is collaborating with the Hout Bay Neighbourhood Watch and SAPS to ensure proper handling of the case.
