S’African policemen face trial for robbing Nigerian rapper
The South African Police Service has arrested four of its officers for robbing a Nigerian rapper of jewellery worth R20 million, approximately N1.9bn.
The suspects, Jacobus Groenewald, Bradley Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati allegedly invaded the Nigerian national’s residence in Llandudno, Cape Town, on September 14 and stole his jewellery.
According to reports, the officers were busted by the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit and accused of staging a robbery in the artiste’s house.
Groenewald, Minnaar, Mafanya, and Soldati appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last Thursday on aggravated robbery charges.
A Cape Argus source said the policemen were part of a group of eight who allegedly used their SAPS uniforms and vehicles to rob innocent people in the upmarket suburb.
“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,” the media stated.
“They were 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 planned the robbery. They are based at different stations but basically, they formed a syndicate,” the source said.