Three police officers appeared in the Johannesburg Regional Court on Monday on charges of theft, defeating the ends of justice and assault — while a fourth was arrested on similar charges.
The trio — a captain and two inspectors — were arrested on Friday after an investigation that began in early September into the theft of stolen funds.
According to media reports, the detectives were alleged to have kept exhibits — including millions of rand in recovered stolen money — found during their investigations.
The crimes were allegedly committed over a two-year period.
The asset forfeiture unit has already attached their homes, furniture and vehicles, and froze their bank accounts.
The men will again appear in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing.
Senior Superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht identified the three, attached to the Johannesburg serious and violent crimes unit, as Captain Ravichandarn Tony Naidoo (34), Inspector William Kgathi (46) and Inspector Sathisagren Dean Govender (36).
A fourth police officer from the same unit was arrested on Monday on a charge of defeating the ends of justice in relation to an incident in May at a cash-in-transit robbery near Heidelberg.
R1,2-million was stolen in that incident.
He will appear in court on Tuesday.
Gauteng provincial police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo on Friday expressed disappointment and disgust at the allegations levelled against the men. — Sapa