The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against an Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officer and a businessman accused of orchestrating the alleged theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million, as investigators continue to hunt down more suspects linked to the case.
Constable Adrian Norman Mackenzie and businessman Etienne van der Walt appeared in court on Monday following their arrests over the weekend by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). The pair face charges including robbery with aggravating circumstances, fraud and corruption stemming from an alleged raid on a property in Killarney, Johannesburg, in February 2023.
The matter was postponed to 16 July 2026 for a formal bail application. Both accused remain in custody after the State indicated it intends to oppose bail.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused allegedly robbed the complainant of six boxes containing high-grade sugilite and manganese stones valued at approximately R14.9 million.
The State alleges that the complainant was assaulted and threatened with firearms before the stones were seized during what appeared to be a law enforcement operation.
Prosecutors told the court that Mackenzie, together with another EMPD official and civilian accomplices, falsely presented themselves as members of a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team comprising EMPD and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) officers investigating alleged lithium smuggling.
The alleged operation, according to the State, was nothing more than an elaborate scheme to unlawfully obtain the valuable stones.
The prosecution further alleges that the EMPD officers acted outside their legal jurisdiction, which is confined to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, while the businessman allegedly impersonated a police officer during the operation.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the arrests form part of an ongoing investigation into corruption involving several law enforcement officials.
When investigators first opened the case, six suspects had been identified. They included three EMPD officers, one Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer, one Gauteng Traffic Police officer and businessman Etienne van der Walt.
One of the six suspects has since died.
Suping said Mackenzie and Van der Walt are among the five remaining suspects facing corruption charges linked to their alleged roles in the raid.
She said the investigation found that EMPD officials conducted an investigation outside their area of responsibility, while the JMPD officer attached to VIP Protection had no investigative mandate as part of her official duties.
“The businessman also allegedly presented himself as a police officer during the raid,” Suping said.
Over the weekend, IPID, assisted by the Tactical Response Team (TRT), executed three warrants of arrest.
Only Mackenzie and Van der Walt were apprehended.
Investigators are still searching for a third suspect who remains at large.
“The arrest of the remaining suspects is imminent,” IPID said.
The investigation is expected to widen as authorities pursue everyone allegedly involved in planning and executing the controversial raid.
After the court adjournment, Mackenzie’s legal representative, advocate Crystal Keevy, criticised the State’s decision to oppose bail.
She argued that her client voluntarily handed himself over to the police and should therefore be considered a suitable candidate for release pending trial.
Keevy expressed disappointment at the prosecution’s stance, saying Mackenzie had cooperated with investigators.
The NPA, however, declined to comment further on the merits of the case, citing the fact that the matter is now before the courts.
If convicted, the accused could face lengthy prison sentences given the seriousness of the allegations, which involve armed robbery, fraud, corruption and the alleged abuse of police powers.
The case has attracted significant public attention because several serving and former law enforcement officials are implicated in what investigators believe was a carefully planned operation disguised as an official police investigation.
The accused are expected to return to the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 16 July, when they are expected to formally apply for bail as IPID continues its search for the outstanding suspects.
