By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Major General Hendrik Flynn, component head for serious organised crime at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as Hawks, concluded his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane.
Over the past two days, Flynn detailed evidence relating to the 2021 theft of 541kg of cocaine from the Hawks’ offices in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The drugs were stolen nearly five months after they were initially discovered inside a shipping container at Durban Harbour.
Wrapping up his testimony on Wednesday, Flynn emphasised that the cocaine should never have been kept at the Hawks facility for such an extended period.
“In my opinion, the cocaine seized in 2021 should never have been stored in Port Shepstone. The crime scene management’s failure compromised the integrity of the investigation and the subsequent theft of the cocaine severely compromised our ability to find the traffickers.”
He added that SAPS officials had not intended to send the seized cocaine to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis, despite that being a standard requirement in the evidentiary process for narcotics investigations.
The proper forensic handling procedures had therefore not been followed in the matter, he said.
In addition, Flynn said the handling of exhibits reflected broader non-compliance with established procedures governing seized property, including documentation and control measures intended to safeguard evidentiary integrity.
Preliminary investigations pointed to poor security at the site, raising suspicions that the theft may have been an inside job.
Evidence leader Sello Mahlape raised concerns over the decision to store the drugs at the Hawks’ Port Shepstone premises, despite the facility having experienced multiple break-ins.
The commission has since summoned suspended KZN head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lesetja Senona, to appear for testimony on the 1 June.
His appearance had initially been scheduled for 8 May but was postponed following an application by evidence leaders.
The commission heard that Senona gave the keys but did not accompany the individuals to ensure they performed their duties correctly when the cocaine was seized.
The commission continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the cocaine and the conduct of law enforcement officials involved.
This morning the Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have launched a manhunt for suspects following the discovery of cocaine valued at approximately R13 million during a targeted operation at Durban Harbour.
The operation, carried out by members of the Durban Operational Response Services (ORS) alongside the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) unit, resulted in the discovery of 32 blocks of suspected cocaine.
Police said the drugs were concealed within the air conditioning compartment of a bus.
According to police reports, the buses had been shipped from a South American country and were en route to Gauteng Province, suggesting a coordinated trafficking network operating across borders.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the shipment, as well as the intended recipients within South Africa.
Meanwhile Chief evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, has rejected the grounds on which controversial North West Businessman and alleged political fixer, Brown Mogotso, is seeking his recusal.
Mogotsi’s legal team submitted the application last week, aiming to prevent Chaskalson from questioning him during his testimony.
Chaskalson has dismissed claims that he acted unfairly, and has previously accused Mogotsi of lying under oath. Mogotsi is expected back at the commission on 15 May, when the recusal application is scheduled to be heard.