Johannesburg – Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Officer Constable Adriaan Norman Mackenzie and Businessman Etienne van der Walt have appeared in Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in connection with the theft of precious stones valued at about R15 million.
The pair, who were arrested over the weekend, are part of the five suspects facing a charge of corruption because of their conduct in the alleged raid and theft of precious stones.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said Mackenzie and Van der Walt were arrested on 4 and 5 July 2026 for their unlawful conduct in the alleged raid of a property and seizure of precious stones valued at just under R15 million in Killarney, Johannesburg.
After the brief court appearance, Mackenzie and Van der Walt were remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned to 16 July 2026.
IPID Spokesperson Lizzy Suping said when the investigation began into the 2023 theft of precious stones, there were six suspects.
“Three were from EMPD, one from JMPD, one from Gauteng Traffic Police and a businessman who allegedly presented himself as a police officer during the raid. The sixth suspect has since died,” said Suping.
The pair, EMPD Officer Constable Adriaan Norman Mackenzie and Businessman Etienne van der Walt, are part of the five suspects who are facing a charge of corruption because of their conduct in the alleged raid and theft of precious stones.
Allegations were that EMPD officers conducted an investigation outside their area of jurisdiction, while a JMPD officer, who is based in VIP protection, does not conduct any investigations in terms of her work responsibilities, and the businessman impersonated a police officer during the raid.
“Over the weekend, IPID had to effect 3 warrants of arrest; however, only two suspects were apprehended,” Suping said.
“Our team, consisting of IPID and the Tactical Response Team, is in pursuit of the third suspect who is still on the run.
“The arrest of the remaining two suspects out of five is imminent.”
