Two metro cops allegedly ran a fake raid and walked off with R15 million in rare purple gemstones from a Killarney flat. Yeah, actual cops. Suspended EMPD brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi and Johannesburg Metro Police inspector Witness K got nabbed by IPID, facing charges tied to sugilite and manganese that vanished during a bogus operation.
Witness K previously spilled details at the Madlanga Commission, claiming Mkhwanazi orchestrated the whole removal and split the proceeds. Two other officers backed that version, saying they followed his instructions. He denies everything, but he's the fifth person cuffed over this case.
IPID grabbed Mkhwanazi in Bedfordview and Witness K in Alberton. The brigadier already has other pending cases stacking up, which paints a grim picture of accountability inside municipal policing. Sugilite fetches insane prices due to scarcity, explaining why someone would risk everything for one consignment.
And the whole thing is heading to Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, where both accused will hear formal charges. Prosecutors clearly believe they have enough to test competing versions of what went down at that Killarney flat years back.
Witness K previously spilled details at the Madlanga Commission, claiming Mkhwanazi orchestrated the whole removal and split the proceeds. Two other officers backed that version, saying they followed his instructions. He denies everything, but he's the fifth person cuffed over this case.
IPID grabbed Mkhwanazi in Bedfordview and Witness K in Alberton. The brigadier already has other pending cases stacking up, which paints a grim picture of accountability inside municipal policing. Sugilite fetches insane prices due to scarcity, explaining why someone would risk everything for one consignment.
And the whole thing is heading to Johannesburg Magistrate's Court, where both accused will hear formal charges. Prosecutors clearly believe they have enough to test competing versions of what went down at that Killarney flat years back.
