Madlanga commission hears details on R200 million cocaine theft from police facility
via The Citizen3 min read
The Madlanga commission heard evidence from Hendrik Flynn, a Hawks Major-General, regarding the 2021 theft of R200 million worth of cocaine from a police storage facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Flynn, head of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, highlighted operational failures and questionable decisions leading up to the break-in at the Port Shepstone Hawks facility in November 2021, where 541kg of cocaine was stolen through windows while the alarm system was non-operational. He also referenced a July 2021 drug seizure at Durban harbour, where approximately one tonne of narcotics was confiscated. The cocaine stolen in Port Shepstone was initially discovered in June 2021 at an Isipingo depot and moved to the Hawks facility due to space constraints. Flynn stated that suspended provincial Hawks head Lesetja Senona took control of the storage keys, which was inconsistent with standard procedures, as a designated SAP13 clerk should manage such facilities to maintain the chain of custody. Further irregularities included Senona handing keys to an unauthorized warrant officer and police officers returning to the facility to collect drug samples, a practice Flynn found "extremely strange" and not standard procedure. Flynn also emphasized the interconnectedness of organized crime and corruption, stating that corruption is always an element in the perpetuation of such crimes.
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Some members of the Democratic Alliance DA are reportedly upset about the decision to remove former DA leader John Steenhuisen from his position as agriculture minister. The discontent stems from an alleged agreement between current DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis and Steenhuisen, where Steenhuisen would retain his ministerial role if he did not seek another term as party leader. Hill-Lewis has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, proposing Steenhuisen's replacement by Willie Aucamp as agriculture minister, with Steenhuisen moving to deputy minister of trade, industry and competition. Ramaphosa has not yet confirmed these changes. Some DA members claim they were not consulted on the reshuffle, with one source suggesting that Hill-Lewis's decision has exposed party divisions and that Steenhuisen feels "betrayed." Political analyst Prof Theo Neethling indicated that the move might be "pure DA damage control" due to Steenhuisen's handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which alienated many farmers. Hill-Lewis, however, stated his decision was made in the best interests of the DA and the government of national unity, prioritizing public and voter loyalty.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of party leader Jacob Zuma, stated she does not hold her father responsible for her expulsion from the MK party, instead blaming individuals surrounding the party's leadership. She made these comments at a media briefing on Sunday, following her and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela's expulsion from the party on Thursday. Zuma-Sambudla indicated she has not yet discussed the expulsion with her father but plans to do so next week. The party cited a series of actions, public statements, and activities by Zuma-Sambudla and Ndhlela as reasons for their removal. Zuma-Sambudla was accused of undermining party unity and promoting factional narratives, while Ndhlela was accused of unauthorized media briefings and misrepresenting party positions. Ndhlela claims that both his and Zuma's roles in the MK party were undermined and that he and Zuma-Sambudla will challenge their expulsions in the high court, asserting that no disciplinary hearing was held before their removal.
A Limpopo councillor, Netshivhumbe Gumani, 44, was arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit SIU investigator with R70,000 to disregard evidence in a corruption probe. The investigation concerns allegations of maladministration and corruption related to two tenders by the Mahikeng Local Municipality. Gumani reportedly approached three SIU investigators, offering R10,000 in cash as part of the bribe during a meeting in Mahikeng. The SIU, in collaboration with the South African Police Service and the Hawks, conducted an entrapment operation leading to Gumani's arrest. He faces corruption charges and appeared in the Molopo Magistrates' Court, with his case postponed to June 29, 2026, for a bail application. The SIU stated that its investigators maintain high integrity and that attempts to corrupt them will be met with legal action.