By Alex Eliseev and Joseph Makua
One of the biggest police successes has just become their biggest embarrassment.
A brazen robbery at the Johannesburg International Airport, followed by quick investigation, netted 13 arrests and more than $16-million (R105-million) recovered.
Now $13-million (R85-million) of that money has been stolen from the police's safe in Benoni.
| Thieves drilled through the safe's door |
Police have confirmed they are investigating an embarrassing break-in at their North Rand Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.
A gang of thieves managed to drill through the door of a large walk-in safe on Wednesday night and steal evidence being kept by the unit at their second floor office.
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A source told The Star this morning that the evidence stolen had been seized following a brazen heist at the airport in March.
All members who had access to the safe are being investigated, including senior commanders. The source could not confirm if charges had been laid against any officers, but said they could be laid later today.
Police had outsourced the task of counting the money and checking the serial numbers on the notes. Superintendent Eugene Opperman confirmed the break-in but would not say what had been stolen.
| 'They don't have all their facts right' |
"We are following up on certain information that may lead to early arrests," Opperman said.
When asked about the money, he said, he would say only: "They don't have all their facts right."
He would also not reveal exactly how the thieves had broken into the safe or what the security set-up around it was.
Asked why such a large amount of money was kept at the unit's offices Opperman said: "It's a walk-in safe. This is the way evidence is being kept."
Gauteng's top cop, Commissioner Perumal Naidoo, is believed to have visited the crime scene. This morning Naidoo refused to comment on the robbery.
During the airport heist, a gang armed with AK-47 rifles held up two security guards at a cargo airplane loaded with cash on March 25. They fled with bags stuffed with US dollars.
But four days later, two of the robbers were bust trying to enter Zimbabwe. More arrests followed and, to date, 13 alleged robbers in total are behind bars. One of the robbers was gunned down in a shootout with police.
At their court appearance, all alleged members of the syndicate were denied bail. Police are still hunting for the remaining 11 members of the gang who are on the run.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on May 26, 2006
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