IPID dismisses claims EMPD could not investigate Benoni officers

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) Assistant Director for Investigations, Thulani Magagula, has rejected claims by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) that it was unable to investigate the 2022 Benoni theft and kidnapping case involving three of its officers.

Magagula is testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, detailing the alleged roles of Kersha Lee-Stols, Bafana Twala, and Aiden McKenzie.

The three were arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of a Benoni businessman in July 2022, as well as the theft of a large consignment of cigarettes from his supermarket.

Thulani Magagula says the EMPD was aware of the incident and that the arrests were carried out in a boardroom in the presence of retired Ekurhuleni Deputy Commissioner, Revo Spies.

READ: IPID official slams EMPD for failing to discipline officers in million-rand truck theft case

He adds that the biggest hurdle in securing a conviction has been the complainant’s refusal to cooperate, despite several attempts to subpoena him, as he maintains his only concern was the return of his stolen cigarettes.

"He said that, 'Magagula, you promised me that you are going to give me the remaining cigarettes that are in the SAP13, you did not give me, now I'm no longer interested in the matter,'" Magagula testified.

The case against the trio was provisionally withdrawn from the court roll in April last year after Kersha Lee-Stols resigned from the metro police.