Advocate representing 2 cops accused of stealing R20m worth of jewellery accuses investigating team of shoddy work

CAPE TOWN - Advocate Eckhard Roseman, who is representing two of the policemen accused of stealing R20 million worth of jewellery from a house in Cape Town, has taken a swipe at the investigating team for a shoddy investigation.

Jacobus Groenewald, Bradley Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya, and Bathandwa Soldati were back at the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Thursday facing charges of aggravating robbery.

The police officers, who were part of the SAPS’s Operation Restore, have denied stealing the jewellery, which allegedly includes Rolex and Cartier watches.

They claim to have received information about two Nigerian criminals hiding at the house but they say when they got to the property, a few people fled the crime scene.

Arguments in mitigation of bail judgment are underway at the Wynberg Magistrates Court.

Roseman, who represents Jacobus Groenewald and Bradley Minnaar, has accused the investigating officer of prematurely arresting his clients without enough evidence.

He said that the State had not provided any proof of ownership or description of the missing jewellery.

He further accused the investigating officer of only taking the word of the complainant about the alleged stolen jewellery and its value without any certificates or authentication of ownership.

Roseman also questioned if the items do exist, and said his clients' incarceration was a gross violation of their human rights.