Cape Town - The detective in the multimillion rand jewellery heist, allegedly committed by police officers, in Llandudno has taken the stand in the bail application in Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
On Tuesday Constable Aldrich Duister testified that the complainant said on September 14, two armed black males dressed in civilian clothing, followed by a group of police officers robbed the occupants in the house.
The investigation led to the arrest of Sergeant Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald and constables Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya and Bathandwa Soldati who are accused of making off with jewellery with an estimated value of R20million.
Duister told the court that on 14 September his boss briefed him about an incident that occurred in Llandudno.
“He elaborated that officers committed a house robbery in Llandudno. He explained that one of the vehicles was captured on video by a complainant at the crime scene.
“According to complainant said that at 2am he was with two of his friends in the lounge in the living room.
“He said his one friend escorted the other friend out to smoke when one of his friends came running back shouting: thieves thieves thieves. Complainant further stated that two black men in civilian wear came in and cable tied them. He said he saw seven unknown police officials, a short black unknown man among civilians asked how much do you have on you? He replied saying he didn’t have any money on him. He said the firearms were on the waist and hands.
“They then went upstairs, and came down with approximately five duffel bags.”
He further explained that a female occupant saw the officers take the jewellery and other items including clothing.
“The officers went upstairs with her and started searching drawers and cupboards. A female occupant asked why they were taking their belongings and the police said they would bring it back. They were taking jewellery, an iPad, cellphone and clothes. None of them wore masks.”
Duister said they traced the vehicles, through a cellphone video taken by the complainant, to Belhar, 35 Squadron where he arrested Groenewald who was in possession of the Louis Vuitton pouch, a jewellery box and a cable tie.
He added the manager of the Llandudno property said she called private security to the residence during the commission of the crime.
Groenewald misled the security officer by saying he was Sergeant Beukes and he was there for a suspect who was wanted by Interpol.
Over the last five weeks the officers had testified that they were at the house to raid after hearing a tip-off about two Nigerian men wanted by Interpol who were in the Llandudno house. When they arrived with two informants, one remained in the car while another wore a balaclava and went inside.
The cops said when they went into the house they shouted that they were police before entering. Two Nigerian men ran away, they were later told by the informant that the suspects were those who escaped.
The case was postponed to Thursday for further bail application.