By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the second interim report of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, known as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The commission was established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025 relating to criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
The Commission is expected to hand over its final comprehensive report at the end of August.
Ramaphosa said he’s pleased with the progress the commission is making in exposing the corruption within the country’s criminal justice system.
The Commission is continuing with its probe into the large consignment of cocaine stolen from police custody.
In 2021, 541 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of over R200 million was stolen from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) storage facility in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Warrant Officer, Karl Sander, testified before the Commission on Monday, 01 June 2026, saying police officers are not adequately trained to handle drug seizures.
Sander said many officers are not fully aware of the dangers associated with handling toxic substances.
He told the commission that he heads a Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI)/Hawks narcotics training programme aimed at equipping selected officers with the skills needed to safely identify, handle, and process toxic substances during drug seizure operations.
Although participation in the programme is not compulsory, Sander believes all police officers should undergo the training.
This follows testimony from several witnesses who admitted conducting drug seizures without the necessary knowledge or training.
Sander said while aspects of drug seizure operations are covered during police training, many officers remain unaware of the serious risks involved in handling hazardous substances.
Meanwhile suspended Hawks KwaZulu-Natal head Major General Lesetja Senona will return to the Commission on Friday to give oral testimony after being granted additional time to file his witness statement.
Senona was initially due to appear on Monday but requested more time to prepare.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled that his written statement must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday.
His appearance is set for 9.30 am on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Senona has been implicated in the alleged theft of 541kg of cocaine from a Hawks storage facility in Port Shepstone worth at least R200 million.