Cape Town - The four Cape Town SAPS members accused of pulling off a R20 million jewellery heist in Llandudno have been sent to prison after their bail hearing was postponed to next week.
Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya and Bathandwa Soldati appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on aggravated robbery charges after they were busted by the Anti-Corruption Unit over the past two weeks.
The officers, who form part of the Operation Restore Unit and are stationed across Cape Town, are accused of staging a robbery at the home of a popular Nigerian rapper, who has yet to be named.
This week, Western Cape police revealed that following the robbery of the homeowner on September 14, a massive investigation led to the arrest of the four cops.
A Cape Argus source said the arrested cops are part of a group of eight who allegedly used their official SAPS uniforms and vehicles to carry out house robberies in the upmarket suburb.
“Those caught are four of eight officers behind this whole thing.
“They went to the home of a rich Nigerian and told those in the house they were searching for a wanted Nigerian but instead they stole jewellery valued at R20 million.
“They are so stupid they left their fingerprints all over the house as they stole Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds and ivory items. It was all brand names. But they definitely planned the robbery. They are based at different stations but basically they formed a syndicate,” the source said.
The officers are also accused of using official police vehicles to pull off the heist and allegedly placed false number plates on the vehicles in the event that they were caught on CCTV cameras in the area.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed the arrests and explained the fourth suspect was arrested in Philippi on Wednesday.
It came to light yesterday, that Soldati, who was originally stationed at Athlone police station, was the person whose fingerprints were found on the scene and was subsequently added to the charge sheet.
During court proceedings on Thursday, Groenewald, Minnaar and Mafanya were expected to apply for bail but this was stalled as Soldati was added to the charge sheet.
It was highlighted that Soldati needed time to consult with his legal representatives and the bail hearings were postponed to October 10.