Two EMPD Officers Arrested Over Alleged R15 Million Precious Stones Theft

Two Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers are expected to appear in court on Monday after being arrested in connection with the alleged theft and sale of precious stones worth an estimated R15 million.

The officers were arrested over the weekend by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). Investigators are also searching for two more officers believed to be linked to the case.

EMPD Officers Arrested After Alleged Illegal Raid

The EMPD officers arrested are accused of taking part in an unlawful raid at a home in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023. According to IPID, the officers, together with other colleagues, allegedly searched the property without a warrant.

During the operation, the officers allegedly seized precious stones valued at around R15 million. Instead of booking the items into evidence, they allegedly sold them.

The EMPD officers arrested are expected to face corruption charges linked to the handling of the seized items. IPID said the officers allegedly acted outside their jurisdiction and failed to follow the required legal procedures.

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IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said: “The suspects face a charge of corruption because EMPD officers conducted an investigation outside their jurisdiction and failed to register the exhibits in the SAPS occurrence book. Some of the exhibits were found in the car of one of the EMPD officials.”

The matter is now the subject of an ongoing IPID investigation.

Search Continues For Two More EMPD Officers

The investigation into the EMPD officers arrested is continuing as authorities work to locate two additional suspects.

Suping said investigators were unable to find the officers during weekend operations. “IPID is still searching for two more officers, who couldn’t be found at their known residences during the weekend operation.”

The two arrested officers are expected to appear in court on Monday, while efforts to trace the remaining suspects continue.