Third suspect in R14.9 million precious stones theft case charged, lawyer denies she evaded arrest

The lawyer of former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officer, Kersha-Leigh Stols, the third accused in the alleged theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million, has dismissed claims that his client was evading arrest.

Stols who handed herself over at the Edenvale Police Station on Sunday, appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. She now joins co-accused, Etienne van der Walt and Adrian MacKenzie, who made their first court appearance a day earlier.

The matter has been postponed to 16 July, when all three accused are expected to bring formal bail applications.

The case has attracted national attention following testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by a protected witness, known only as Witness K, who alleged that she and suspended EMPD Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, planned the theft of the precious stones.

Stols, who resigned from the EMPD about a year ago after an internal investigation was launched, faces charges including robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.

Meanwhile, Stols’, Dino Nopes, says his client voluntarily handed herself over after arrangements were made with investigators.

According to Nopes, investigators were contacted on Sunday and an arrangement was subsequently reached for Stols to surrender to police before her court appearance.

The attorney’s remarks come amid speculation that authorities had been searching for a third suspect linked to the case and that Stols had been evading arrest.

Nopes has also raised concerns about Stols’ detention arrangements, revealing that she is being held separately from her co-accused.

He says Stols is currently being held at the Sun City police cells, while Van der Walt and MacKenzie remain in custody in Benoni. The defence says it is seeking clarity on why she is being held at a different facility.

The arrests stem from an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) into allegations that precious stones worth nearly R15 million were unlawfully seized during a raid at a private residence in Killarney in 2023.

All three accused are expected to return to the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on 16 July for their formal bail applications.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe