A police captain and two inspectors asked the Johannesburg Regional Court on Wednesday for bail as they face 14 charges including theft, aggravated assault and defeating the ends of justice — involving about R13-million.
The state is opposing bail for Captain Ravichandara Tony Naidoo (34), Inspector Madidimalo William Kgathi (47) and Inspector Sathisagren Ramsay Govender (39), who allegedly beat up suspects and stole money and goods recovered following arrests.
It is alleged that they documented only a portion of stolen goods and money recovered.
The asset forfeiture unit seized assets belonging to the three men, placing them under restraint pending the finalisation of the trial after 1Â 149 pages of documents were presented to a judge in chambers.
The three were arrested in September this year after special investigations were prompted when R23-million went missing following a cash heist at Monte Casino, north of Johannesburg.
According to court documents, only R610Â 000 cash out of R4,5-million “recovered from some of the suspects who were involved in the robbery”, was booked.
The three are charged with stealing R4,1-million of the R4,5-million as well as two cellphones worth R7Â 000 and clothing valued at R6Â 000, belonging to Monte Casino.
According to a provisional charge sheet, the January 2003 theft charge involves R95Â 000 and $5Â 000.
It also reads that on April 12 the same year, gold chains and other jewellery worth R2,5-million were allegedly confiscated and “not handed in at Alexandra police station as exhibits”.
The highest amount, according to the draft charge sheet, was R6,9-million in foreign currency, jewellery and a firearm, which was not booked in on November 14 last year.
The state is expected to present reasons for opposing bail later on Wednesday. — Sapa
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