EMPD officer, businessman in court for Killarney R15m precious stones robbery
The fraud and robbery case against Ekurhuleni Metro Police officer Adrian Mackenzie and his co-accused, businessman Etienne Van Der Walt, has been postponed to next week Thursday for bail application.
The two men appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.
They were arrested at the weekend in connection with the theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million in Killarney, Gauteng.
The case stems from an incident in 2023, in which a group of individuals allegedly carried out a raid on a private residence in Killarney without a warrant and seized precious stones.
The State alleges that Mackenzie, together with another Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) official and their civilian co-accused, falsely represented themselves as members of a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team comprising EMPD and the Hawks officers investigating alleged lithium smuggling activities.
WATCH: These are the two suspects arrested for theft and corruption in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth R15 million in Killarney in 2023.
— Jacaranda FM Newswatch (@JacaNewswatch) July 6, 2026
Adrian Mackenzie (EMPD) & Etienne Van Der Walt (businessman) (white t-shirt) pic.twitter.com/MXCRI3401Q
According to the state, the accused, while armed with firearms, allegedly assaulted a victim at his apartment and took six boxes of high-grade manganese and Sugilite stones, valued at over R14 million, from the property.
"These representations were false and were intended to induce the complainant into believing that a legitimate law enforcement operation was being conducted," NPA spokesperson Magabokwe Mohlatlole said.
"The State alleges that the true purpose of the operation was to unlawfully deprive the complainant of the precious stones," he added.
The State further alleges the accused conducted the raid outside their jurisdiction and failed to register the seized items in the Police Occurrence.
The case has also drawn wider attention following testimony at the Madlanga Commission, where a witness implicated the suspended EMPD chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, in the alleged theft.
The Independent Investigative Directorate said the arrest of the remaining suspects was imminent.
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