Arrest in Killarney R15m stone theft linked to metro police officials
One person has been arrested in connection with the alleged unlawful seizure and theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million from a home in Killarney in 2023.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday evening and is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.
According to South African Police Service, the investigation initially identified six suspects, including three Ekurhuleni metro police officers, one Gauteng Traffic Police officer, one Johannesburg metro police officer, and a businessman who allegedly posed as a police officer during the operation.
The group is accused of conducting an unlawful raid on the Killarney home without a warrant and seizing the precious stones.
They face corruption charges.
According to police, the corruption charges relate to serious breaches of procedure during the operation.
Suspended Ekurhuleni metro police chief Julius Mkhwanazi was also implicated in the alleged theft of the precious stones by Witness K testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
The witness claimed Mkhwanazi was involved in the incident.
The EMPD officers allegedly carried out a raid beyond their jurisdiction, failed to officially register the seized exhibits with SAPS, and some of the precious stones were later found in the possession of one of the officers.
Police say three arrest warrants were issued, with one suspect already arrested, two others expected to be apprehended in the coming weeks, while a sixth suspect has since died.
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