South Africa arrests four cops for allegedly robbing Nigerian of N1.87b in jewelry

Four police officers from Cape TownSouth Africa faced corruption charges in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on October 4, following their alleged involvement in a R20 million (about N1,873,507,786.80 when converted to the Nigerian currency on Saturday) jewelry heist that took place last month.

According to South Africa’s Independent Online, popularly known as IOL, the officers are believed to be part of a larger group of eight who reportedly used their official South African Police Services (SAPS) uniforms and vehicles to carry out home robberies in an affluent neighborhood.

Four of the eight officers involved in the scheme have now been apprehended

According to reports, the officers visited the residence of a wealthy Nigerian under the pretense of searching for a wanted individual. Instead, they stole jewelry worth R20 million. In their haste, the robbers left fingerprints scattered throughout the house while pilfering items such as Rolex watches, gold bracelets, emeralds, and ivory pieces.

The suspects were dressed in full police uniforms and used official vehicles during the robbery, albeit with fake license plates. Their downfall came when SAPS’s tracking system pinpointed them at the crime scene.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed the arrests, stating that the suspects were being investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).

He noted, “On September 14 at about 1:35 am, 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.”

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He further elaborated that investigations by experienced detectives led to the arrests over time.

He said,“A 44-year-old sergeant was arrested on the same day at 35 Squadron in Belhar, and later a 28-year-old constable was apprehended at Gugulethu SAPS. Both appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on September 17, with the case then postponed to October 3 for a bail application.”