By Johnathan Paoli
The Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court has postponed the case against Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department official Adrian Norman Mackenzie and Titen Security Services CEO Etienne van der Walt to next week, when the pair are expected to formally apply for bail on charges linked to the alleged robbery of precious stones worth about R15 million.
The State told the court on Monday that both accused intended applying for bail.
Mackenzie and van der Walt face charges of fraud and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
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The State alleges that the pair robbed a complainant of six boxes containing high-grade sugilite and manganese stones at a premises in Killarney, Johannesburg, on 11 February 2023.
The case has attracted national attention after explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission implicated several current and former law enforcement officials in what was allegedly a carefully planned robbery disguised as an official police operation.
According to evidence presented before the commission by Witness K, a former Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer, she, suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi and several others conspired to raid the Killarney apartment under the false pretence of conducting a legitimate police search.
Witness K testified that the operation was never intended to be a lawful police action but rather a robbery targeting valuable precious stones and metals kept inside the apartment.
She alleged that after the group removed the stones, valued at just under R15 million, they sold them to a third party for only R110,000.
According to her testimony, the proceeds were divided equally among five participants, with each receiving about R22,000.
She told the commission she retained her share while handing over the remaining money to be distributed among the others.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) launched an investigation into the matter, resulting in two arrests over the weekend.
IPID has alleged that six individuals were originally implicated in the case, including three EMPD officials, one Gauteng Traffic Police officer, one JMPD officer assigned to the VIP Unit and a private businessman who allegedly impersonated a police officer during the raid.
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The arrests followed recommendations arising from the Madlanga Commission’s investigations, with IPID investigators working alongside members of the Tactical Response Team and the Gauteng tracking team to trace the suspects.
IPID confirmed that one of the original six suspects has since died.
While Mackenzie and van der Walt have now appeared in court, one additional suspect remains at large, with IPID saying efforts to locate and arrest that individual are continuing.
Mackenzie and van der Walt will remain in custody pending their scheduled bail application on Thursday next week.
