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Seven police officials from Ekurhuleni in Gauteng appeared in the Nigel Magistrate's Court on Monday on a range of charges, including theft and corruption.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the arrests relate to a robbery at a shop in which R172 000 and 152 boxes of illicit cigarettes were stolen.
NPA Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, says the incident happened in July when the police members went to the LM Café in Nigel, and damaged property including breaking a safe where the money was kept.
The accused are Siyash Rampearie (29), Lloyd Bafana Nyamboso (30), Neo Ashley Maboya (25), Yingisa Wesley Mhlongo (32), Mhlaba Lungani Ngcobo (41), Nkoma Tervin Motupa (29) and Motshusi Samuel Dipone (38).
The officers are attached to the infrastructure unit at Ekurhuleni and the Germiston Crime Intelligence Unit respectively.
According to Mahanjana, the accused opened a case against the complainant in the matter, but it was thrown out of court due to insufficient evidence.
It is further alleged that they failed to complete the SAP13 form that stipulates which items the police confiscated from the shop.
The shop owner reported the matter to the police on the same day.
The accused handed themselves over to police after an investigation by the Independent Police Investigations Directorate (IPID).
The case was remanded to 7 August for a formal bail application.
The NPA will oppose bail.
