The government also dropped charges against businessman Etienne van der Walt (who is the second defendant in this case), in the case of theft of precious stones worth R14.9 million.
Van Der Walt, Adrian MacKenzie who is a Kurhuleni municipal police officer and Kersha-Leigh Stols who was also a police officer in this municipality appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.
The three people were arrested earlier this month.
Prosecutors told the court that they no longer object to their release on bail despite the fact that the suspects are facing serious charges of aggravated robbery and fraud, which are listed under List 6 (Schedule 6).
Both defendants cited special circumstances, with MacKenzie telling the court, in her sworn statement, that her child was undergoing chemotherapy.
Stols, who said he quit working at EMPD in 2023 because of threats, cited his responsibilities as a single parent and his health condition as special circumstances that warrant him being released on bail.
The court granted Adrian MacKenzie and Kersha-Leigh Stols bail of R5,000 each, with the condition that they surrender their passports, and report to the police in Nigel and Mayerton every Monday..
The case was adjourned to August 25.
