South African police rob Ethiopian nationals illicit cigarettes case
Four South African police officers and a civilian have been arrested in connection with an alleged raid on the home of Ethiopian nationals in Lydenburg (Mashishing), Mpumalanga. The suspects are accused of robbing the family of R950,000 in cash and illicit cigarettes valued at about R1.5 million.
According to the South African Police Service spokesman, the incident took place around 23:50 on Thursday, October 9, when reports came in about a house robbery at a residence in Lydenburg. The victims, all Ethiopian nationals, were sleeping when a group of armed men entered their home.
The group reportedly used three vehicles: a grey double-cab Toyota bakkie registered in Limpopo, a private vehicle thought to be either a Suzuki Ertiga or Toyota Avanza/Rumion, and a marked SAPS VW Golf GTI from the Polokwane Flying Squad unit. The private vehicle fled the scene carrying multiple boxes of the illicit cigarettes and an undisclosed sum of cash, while the marked SAPS vehicle and the Toyota bakkie were seized.
At the scene, boxes of illicit cigarettes with a street value of approximately R1.5 million were recovered, along with R950,000 in cash. It was also discovered that the registration plates on the seized vehicles had been tampered with using black sellotape, possibly to conceal their true identities. Additional items found included ammunition and, in one case, cash hidden inside a bulletproof vest belonging to one of the arrested officers. Two of the officers were also found in possession of their service firearms, which have since been confiscated.
The arrested officers, three men and one woman between the ages of 34 and 41, are attached to various Limpopo units. They were taken into custody along with a 29-year-old civilian. The case has been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), and the suspects are due to appear at the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court.
Authorities have condemned the alleged misconduct, noting that such acts, especially by law enforcement officers, erode public trust and violate legal and ethical standards. The investigation is ongoing and further charges may follow depending on additional findings.
