KZN Hawks head, Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona, said he never underwent a polygraph test after cocaine worth about R200 million was stolen from a police strongroom in Port Shepstone, despite admitting that he personally directed that the drugs be taken there.

Testifying this week before the Madlanga Commission, Senona detailed how a record-breaking cocaine seizure became one of security failures in recent policing history, culminating in the disappearance of 541kg of cocaine from a supposedly secure Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) facility.

The seizure dates back to June 22, 2021. Acting swiftly, Hawks members, supported by Operation Response Services, inspected a shipping container at a local depot.

Inside, officers found 27 canvas bags, each containing 20 one-kilogram bricks of cocaine.

The bricks were wrapped in black and yellow plastics.

In total, the consignment weighed 541kg, with an estimated street value of R200 million.

Senona confirmed that after the seizure, he authorised the transportation of the drugs to the Port Shepstone DPCI offices.

The cocaine was placed in a walk-in strongroom previously used to store mandrax and hashish.

Access, he said, was regulated through a key-booking system, with restricted entry points and controlled movement.

Despite these measures, the entire stash was later stolen.

The theft was discovered when the investigating officer reported the exhibits missing, triggering an internal investigation and a forensic inspection.

The commission heard that suspects allegedly gained entry by breaking into a hardware store adjacent to the police offices, vaulting a partition gate and forcing their way into the DPCI building.

A police officer stationed roughly 20 feet from the safe reported witnessing suspicious activity at the time. Records showed that the safe keys had been booked out to warrant officers.

A national task team, led by the National Head of the DPCI, was later established to investigate the burglary, with forensic work assigned to the Amanzimtoti laboratory.

Yet the commission’s focus sharpened on what followed — and what did not.

Senona conceded that he was never subjected to a polygraph test, unlike others with knowledge of the storage arrangements.

He said it never occurred to him to volunteer and that such testing should have been ordered by his superiors.

When evidence leader Adv. Adila Hassim asked whether he should have requested a polygraph himself, Senona laughed. “It’s too late. It’s too late,” he replied.

He insisted he would still submit to a polygraph if instructed, maintaining that he is “definitely” not implicated in the theft.

Commissioners were unconvinced.

Co-Commissioner Sesi Baloyi expressed concern that Senona had not aggressively pursued answers about whether the drugs were recovered or if anyone had been charged.

“This happened under your watch. It was your loss,” she said, adding that she would have expected him to exhaust every avenue to clear his name.

“Please take this commission seriously,” she said.

Senona said he wanted updates but believed he could not interfere because another team was handling the investigation. He admitted he does not know whether anyone has since been charged.

Co-Commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo described it as “reckless” that a cocaine haul of such magnitude was not protected by round-the-clock security.

Hassim further read into the record a document outlining glaring security failures at the Port Shepstone offices: no CCTV cameras, no alarm system, and no external beam sensors.

“There are CCTV cameras are installed in and around the premises. Two, there’s no early warning alarm system in the office space, more especially in offices located on the ground floor. Three, no beam sensors located exterior next to the office location,” said.

Senona has concluded his testimony at the commission.

Meanwhile, Senona is among those that President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested that they be investigated by the yet to be established special task team.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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