Four SAPS officers in hot water over alleged theft from local shop in Delft

Four police officers from the Bellville Rapid Railway Unit have been charged with robbery, after allegedly stealing R18 300 from a shop owner in Delft.

Constable Monono, Sergeant Ntsali, Constable De Bruyn and Warrant Officer Daniels were called into the dock at Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they were detained at the weekend following an investigation into a robbery on October 2.

During an apparent search at a Somalian-owned shop in Heinkel Crescent, The Hague, R18 300 was reportedly stolen.

The owner of the property took a photograph of the SAPS vehicle and opened a case.

The matter was investigated by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit and the SAPS Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) which confirmed that the vehicle was at the business premises.

Furthermore, cellphone records of the officers show that they were at the crime scene.

The matter was presented to the Director of Public Prosecution, who decided to charge the members on a charge of Business Robbery.

On Sunday, Warrant Officer Daniels was arrested at his home in Heideveld, while the other three officers were arrested at their Bellville Rapid Railway office.

The officers were detained in the cells at Bellville police station.

The state is opposing bail and the officers will remain in custody as the matter has been postponed to November 5, for a bail application.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed: “Four members including a warrant officer, sergeant and two constables attached to SAPS Rapid Rail Unit were arrested by members attached to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit on November 11 for a charge of business robbery.

“According to reports the incident happened on October 2 at 7.40pm when the members were on duty and searching a shop at a premises in Heinkel Crescent, The Hague, Delft.

“Incidents of this nature are condemned by SAPS management and offenders can expect to face the consequences of their deeds, both criminally and departmentally.”

Brett Herron, Unite for Change Leadership Council member and GOOD member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, said the GOOD party demands accountability. 

He said in a statement: “The allegations that officers entrusted with protecting communities instead abused their positions to rob a local business are a devastating betrayal of public trust and highlight ongoing concerns about corruption and criminality within some sections of law enforcement.

“While GOOD welcomes the swift action by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit in investigating and arresting the accused officers, this incident raises serious questions about internal accountability and oversight mechanisms within the SAPS.

“We call on the SAPS management to ensure that this case is pursued with full transparency and that disciplinary proceedings run parallel to the criminal investigation.

"The public deserves assurance that justice will not only be done but will be seen to be done."

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