The former head of Crime Intelligence in the Western Cape has made his first appearance in the dock on charges relating to a missing laptop and firearm.
Years after the incident in Mbekweni which resulted in a Section 34 enquiry, former Major-General Mzwandile Tiyo is set to stand trial on an array of charges.
Tiyo appeared alongside another former police officer, Hildegard Mackier, at the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Friday where they face various charges.
Tiyo was axed from his position on grounds of misconduct, allegedly having lost a firearm and laptop, and using the State’s criminal intelligence resources to trace the suspects.
According to court documents, the case dates back to 12 November 2023 when various items were reportedly stolen from him near Midway Mall in Mbekweni which included a 9mm Beretta pistol, cellphone and laptop.
The documents state that the next day, Tiyo allegedly committed fraud by informing other officers that a police docket would be opened and broke into a winkel in Bellville without the consent of the owner.
He is also facing charges relating to failure to secure the firearm in a safe and allegedly not reporting when it had gone missing.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed the appearance.
He says: "Mzwandile Tiyo and Hildegard Mackier appeared at Wynberg Magistrates Court charged with the above attached charges. Their case has been postponed until 9 May 2025 for pretrial. Ms Mackier was a former Colonel in the SAPS."
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Tiyo had been sacked twice in less than six months by SAPS amid investigations into irregularities, including a Section 34 inquiry to establish his fitness to hold office amid allegations that he “lost” a laptop and a firearm then used crime intelligence resources to find the thieves before assaulting them.