A third suspect linked to the alleged theft of precious stones worth nearly R15 million from an apartment in Killarney has handed himself over at Edenvale Police Station.
The suspect is expected to appear in court on 7 July.
His surrender follows the appearance of Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer Constable Adrian Norman McKenzie and businessman Etienne van der Walt in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Lizzy Suping said investigators had initially identified six people allegedly connected to the incident.
“When the investigation began, there were six suspects. Three were from the EMPD, one from the JMPD, one from the Gauteng Traffic Police and a businessman who allegedly presented himself as a police officer during the raid. The sixth suspect has since died,” Suping said.
McKenzie and Van der Walt are among five suspects facing corruption charges linked to their alleged conduct during the raid and the alleged theft of the precious stones.
Suping said the EMPD officers allegedly conducted an investigation outside their jurisdiction, while a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer attached to the VIP Protection Unit allegedly performed duties outside the scope of her responsibilities.
She added that Van der Walt allegedly impersonated a police officer during the raid.
Over the weekend, IPID secured three warrants of arrest, but only two suspects were arrested at the time. IPID investigators, assisted by the Tactical Response Team, were searching for the third suspect before he handed himself over.
IPID said the arrests of the remaining two suspects were imminent.
McKenzie and Van der Walt are expected to apply for bail on 16 July.
