Team probing alleged robbery of R20m worth of jewellery from Llandudno house accused of linking suspects to crime without concrete evidence

CAPE TOWN - The team investigating the alleged robbery of R20 million worth of jewellery at a house in Llandudno has been criticised for linking suspects to a crime without concrete evidence.

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

They're accused of stealing R20 million worth of jewellery on 14 September last year, an allegation denied by the officers.

They maintain that they did not take anything at the house but were there after receiving information that two Nigerian suspects, who were wanted by Interpol, were hiding at the house.

The existence of the R20 million jewellery in question in this case is being questioned by lawyers representing the accused police officers.

During heads of arguments in the bail application, lawyers representing Groenewald, Minnaar, Mafanya, and Soldati submitted to the court that to this day, the State had not provided any proof of ownership proving the existence of the items.

They've also accused the investigating officer, Aldrich Duister, of failing to conduct a thorough investigation.

The lawyers further submitted that the case was purely based on the investigating officer's unfounded assumptions.

Arguments for bail will continue next week Monday.