By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry heard the evidence from Pietermaritzburg SAPS Warrant Officer, Mbongeleni Mpangase, who has been accused of lying about who was present during the June 2021 drug bust at the CHC Depot in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Mpangase testified that, before the operation began, Colonel Gavin Jacobs instructed him to record the names of everyone present at the scene.
He told the commission that he noted the names of everyone present during the operation, including Sergeants Mkhize, Govender and Nthuthuko Khuzwayo.
However, the three officers, along with Durban Serious Organised Crimes Investigations (SOCI) Lieutenant-Colonel, Gavin Jacobs, have all testified that they only arrived after being called to help transport the cocaine exhibits seized during the operation.
Mpangase insists the officers were initially at the scene, left, and were later called back to assist with transporting the 27 bags that he says contained bricks of cocaine.
However, Commissioner Sesi Baloyi, accused Mpangase of being untruthful.
Mpangase also maintained that his role during the operation was limited to taking notes under Jacobs’ supervision while Jacobs and Warrant Officer Kwazikwakhe Sibiya photographed the scene.
The June 2021 operation remains under scrutiny after 541 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of R200 million, was allegedly stolen from the Hawks’ walk-in safe at its Port Shepstone offices in November 2021.
The commission has also postponed the controversial North West ANC-linked businessman Suleiman Carrim’s application to delay his testimony to 24 July and is also expected to rule on his application for his testimony to be heard in camera.
Carrim has told the commission that publicising issues around his movements could put his family at risk.
This emerged during the commission’s proceedings on Friday, 17 July 2026.
Carrim, whose first name is also recorded as Suliman, was not present for the proceedings.
The commission was meant to hear a postponement application through Carrim’s lawyers on Friday, but this was instead pushed to next week.
Carrim had previously indicated to the commission that he was medically unfit to continue testifying before it as a witness.
On Wednesday, though, evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson told the commission that two whistleblower reports placed Carrim at a shopping mall in Cape Town.
The commission will rule on Thursday, the day before the postponement application proceeds, whether or not it will be heard in camera.
Meanwhile the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Andy Mothibi, has received a letter from the legal representative of Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele, and others facing fraud and corruption charges related to Mokwele’s hiring.
The National Prosecuting Authority (“NPA”) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said that the NPA is “not under any pressure to finalize” a decision on the representations “because he [NDPP] needs to do a thorough job” and that the NPA is empowered to prosecute without fear, favor, or prejudice.
The attorney claims they have not received a substantive response since May 18, 2026, despite their client’s objection to the office, but rather choosing to convey its attitude toward pending representations through the media.
The lawyer also expresses concerns about the actions of IDAC and how the evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission during the testimony of IDAC investigator Brian Padayachee perpetuates an injustice and further erodes public confidence in the prosecuting authority.
The attorney has requested that their demand be given top priority and that a decision regarding the representations be made by September 2, 2026, at the latest.
The commission said it will soon announce a new date for the testimony of Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head, Senior Advocate Andrea Johnson.
This comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated that Johnson has reportedly returned to work following several days in hospital.
Earlier this week, Johnson’s legal team informed the commission that she was unable to testify after being rushed to hospital with an undisclosed illness.