R15 Million Gem Heist: Second Suspect Turns Themselves In to Edenvale Police
Johannesburg – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has revealed that a second person implicated in the R15 million theft of precious stones, which was misrepresented as a lawful seizure, has voluntarily surrendered at a police station and was taken into custody.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping made this announcement regarding the arrest on Sunday, 5 July 2026.
These arrests occurred just over a week after “Witness K” implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi in the theft of precious stones valued at approximately R15 million.
Witness K specifically named Mkhwanazi, who was her boyfriend at the time, along with other EMPD officers and a civilian who were involved in the 2023 robbery that took place in an apartment in Killarney, Johannesburg.
Following the theft, the owner of the precious stones reported the incident to the police, resulting in the IPID investigation.
Reports indicate that some of the stolen jewels were recovered from the vehicle of one of the EMPD officers.
Initially, six suspects were identified: three from the EMPD, one from Gauteng Traffic Police, one from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, and a businessman who allegedly posed as a police officer.
Witness K’s confidential testimony at the Madlanga Commission appears to have accelerated the investigation into this matter.
On Friday, 3 July 2026, the IPID carried out operations at various residences suspected to be linked to the suspects.
During this operation, IPID arrested one individual, whose identity has not yet been revealed.
RELATED: R15 Million Precious Stones Heist: IPID Takes Action, Arrests Suspect, 2 Others Remain At Large – The Bulrushes
Today, Suping announced that IPID apprehended the second suspect related to the alleged illegal raid and seizure of precious stones in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023.
“Two arrest warrants have been executed, and we are still searching for the third suspect,” Suping stated.
“The second suspect turned himself in at the Edenvale Police Station shortly after 18:00.”
The IPID spokesperson confirmed that the suspects are expected to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Monday, 6 July 2026.