Julius Mkhwanazi, three others due in court over alleged R14.9m precious stones theft

Four police officers, including suspended deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, are set to face the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court over the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million. The case, delayed in August to finalize the State's arguments, centers on the February 11, 2023 incident in Killarney, Johannesburg.

Prosecutors claim the officers falsely posed as a law enforcement team to enter a property, where they allegedly assaulted occupants and stole six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones. Mkhwanazi, Witness K (a former romantic partner and VIP Protection Unit inspector), Adrian MacKenzie (an EMPD officer), and Kersha-Leigh Stols (another current EMPD officer) are charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.

Each accused has been granted R5,000 bail. The State alleges the officers acted outside their jurisdiction and falsely claimed authorization for the operation. The four officers appeared in court following testimony from MacKenzie and Stols, who reportedly acted on Mkhwanazi's instructions. The matter is scheduled to return to the court for docket closure.