Shielded by Corruption? Police Officer Linked to Hijacking, Looting, and Family Cover-Up

A startling case of alleged corruption within South Africa’s law enforcement has surfaced as Constable Minenhle Makhaye faces charges connecting him to both the hijacking incident that claimed the life of 11-year-old Zarah Ramsamy and the notorious 2021 looting in KwaZulu-Natal. Makhaye’s family ties within the police force add a disturbing layer to the case, suggesting attempts to shield him from justice.

Constable Minenhle Makhaye, a 27-year-old officer from Cato Manor, was recently apprehended following his alleged use of Zarah Ramsamy’s stolen bank card to purchase alcohol at Southway Mall. The arrest, which came a day after Zarah’s tragic death during a hijacking, unveiled a series of shocking discoveries: Makhaye possessed 272 bank cards, multiple cell phones, unassigned number plates, and a police radio not issued to him.

Warrant Officer Siven Naidoo testified that the case links Makhaye to the 2021 looting in KwaZulu-Natal, with at least 10 bank cards found in his possession reportedly tied to the stolen property from that period. Naidoo further revealed that Makhaye’s high-ranking relatives at Umbilo and Inanda SAPS attempted to manipulate court proceedings in Makhaye’s favour. This intervention led to the case being escalated to the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where his involvement in various alleged crimes is under intense scrutiny.

During the court proceedings, evidence surfaced connecting Makhaye to cash-in-transit (CIT) suspects, raising suspicions of his involvement in organized criminal networks. Despite community outcry and the disturbing nature of his alleged crimes, Makhaye continues to maintain his innocence.

This case has reignited public concern over the integrity of law enforcement, raising crucial questions about the extent of criminal infiltration within South Africa’s policing ranks. As investigations unfold, South Africans are left to grapple with the troubling realization that, in certain cases, the line between protector and perpetrator may be distressingly thin.