The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has arrested two suspects, including a suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer, in connection with the alleged theft of precious stones worth approximately R14 million.
The arrests were carried out on Friday evening as part of a long-running corruption investigation. A third suspect is expected to be arrested shortly, while additional arrests are anticipated in the coming days as investigators continue to unravel the alleged criminal network.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping confirmed that the arrested suspects are scheduled to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they are expected to face corruption-related charges.
According to Suping, the investigation dates back to 2023 when a group of law enforcement officials allegedly conducted an unlawful raid on a residence in Killarney, Johannesburg. Investigators believe the operation was carried out without a valid search warrant and resulted in the seizure and alleged theft of precious stones valued at between R14 million and R15 million.
She said six individuals were originally implicated in the investigation. These included three EMPD officers, one Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer, one Gauteng Traffic Police officer and a private businessman.
One of the suspects, a Gauteng Traffic Police officer, died in October 2025 before the investigation was finalised. The remaining suspects are expected to be arrested as the case progresses.
Suping alleged that the businessman involved in the operation owns a private security company and falsely presented himself as a police officer during the raid, despite having no legal authority to participate in law enforcement activities.
Investigators also found that the Gauteng Traffic Police officer allegedly involved had no mandate to conduct criminal investigations, as traffic officers are primarily responsible for enforcing road traffic legislation and municipal by-laws.
Similarly, the JMPD officer implicated in the matter was reportedly attached to a VIP Protection Unit, a role that does not include executing search-and-seizure operations or leading criminal investigations outside the officer’s designated responsibilities.
Suping further noted that the alleged raid took place outside the jurisdiction of the officers involved, raising additional concerns about the legality of the operation. Since Killarney falls within the City of Johannesburg, officials from other municipalities would generally require proper legal authority and coordination before carrying out enforcement actions in the area.
While declining to identify the arrested suspects before their first court appearance, Suping confirmed that those implicated include two women and one man.
The arrests come weeks after explosive testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department inspector, identified only as Witness K, alleged that suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi masterminded the operation because he was experiencing financial difficulties.
During her testimony, Witness K claimed she had previously been in a romantic relationship with Mkhwanazi and had often assisted him financially. She alleged that he later approached her seeking a way to make money quickly, prompting her to reveal information about an apartment where valuable precious stones were allegedly being stored.
According to her evidence, the subsequent operation was disguised as an official police raid but was, in reality, intended to steal the valuables.
Despite the similarities between the commission’s evidence and the ongoing criminal investigation, Suping stressed that IPID’s investigation was already well underway before the matter surfaced publicly at the Madlanga Commission.
She explained that the Killarney case formed part of the evidence later presented before the commission, rather than originating from its proceedings.
IPID has reiterated that all suspects arrested in connection with the matter are expected to face corruption charges, with investigators continuing to gather evidence that could result in further charges depending on the outcome of the case.
The investigation forms part of IPID’s broader mandate to combat corruption, abuse of power and criminal conduct within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies. Authorities say additional arrests remain likely as the investigation continues
