Two former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers, Adrian MacKenzie and Kersha-Leigh Stols, have appeared in Johannesburg Magistrates' Court facing charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and fraud.

They allege they acted on instructions from suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi during a February 2023 operation at a Killarney flat.

The State claims they falsely presented themselves as law enforcement officers to gain entry, assaulted the occupant, and seized six boxes of high-grade sugilite and manganese stones worth R14.9 million.

The accused claim they followed Mkhwanazi's orders after meeting him at a Nando's in Alberton, where they were instructed to confiscate the stones.They also reported to SAPS before the operation, but Mkhwanazi allegedly changed their plan.The case relates to allegations first raised during the Madlanga Commission, where a witness claimed Mkhwanazi orchestrated the robbery.Magistrate Annelise Thlapi granted bail of R5,000 each, with conditions including no contact with witnesses and weekly police reports.The matter is postponed to August 25 for further investigation.