Four South African Policemen arrested for robbing, stealing R20million, jewelry from Nigerian national

Eric Patrick 

Four South African police officers have been arrested for robbing a Nigerian and stealing Jewelry worth over R20million.

The officers are Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati.

They all appeared at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 3.

It was reported that the officers used their official uniforms and vehicles to stage the robbery, claiming they were searching for a wanted Nigerian national. 

However, they left fingerprints and DNA evidence, which was used to trace them and orchestrate their arrest.

It was also reported that there were actually eight officers behind the incident.

“Those caught are four of eight officers behind this whole thing,” the source said.

“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,” a source was quoted. 

“They actually placed false plates on the SAPS vehicles but were caught because the SAPS tracking system placed them on the scene.

“In the Police your DNA and fingerprints are recorded and that is how they were linked after the homeowner opened a case.”

The Provincial Community Police Board described their actions as a. betrayal of trust and erosion of public confidence.

Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, confirmed the arrests and said they were investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit.

“On September 14 at about 1.35am a house robbery occurred at the premises of a foreign national in Sunset Avenue, Llandudno, allegedly involving several Police officers.

This case was reported at Hout Bay police and transferred to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation,” he stated.