IPID probe continues into alleged R14 million theft by EMPD officers

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID) Assistant Director for Investigations, Thulani Magagula, says no recommendations have yet been made to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department regarding the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14 million by three Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers.

Magagula was testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption and impersonating a police officer.

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The case relates to an incident in Hillbrow in February 2023, where EMPD officers Kersha Lee-Stols, Bafana Twala, and Aiden McKenzie, along with private security official Etienne van der Walt, allegedly stole precious stones and fabricated a lawful seizure using police documents.

Thulani Magagula told the commission that McKenzie claimed EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi was present at the scene during what they described as a joint operation with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department investigating illegal lithium trading.

However, Magagula says no JMPD officers could be identified on CCTV footage.

"Neither Brigadier Mkhwanazi, who is their supervisor, nor the police officers involved have submitted evidence of a joint operation as these officers claim it was."

He says the investigation is not yet finalised due to a heavy workload. Magagula earlier revealed he is handling more than 700 cases while supervising five investigators.