Key Takeaways
- Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona, the KZN Hawks head, never underwent a polygraph test after R200 million worth of cocaine was stolen from a police strongroom in Port Shepstone.
- The cocaine was seized on June 22, 2021, and was stored in a walk-in strongroom at the Port Shepstone DPCI offices, which was supposed to be secure.
- Despite security measures, the entire stash of cocaine was stolen, and the theft was only discovered when the investigating officer reported the exhibits missing.
- An internal investigation and forensic inspection were conducted, and a national task team was established to investigate the burglary.
- Senona conceded that he was never subjected to a polygraph test and that it never occurred to him to volunteer for one.
Introduction to the Cocaine Heist
The Madlanga Commission has been investigating a major security breach in which 541kg of cocaine, valued at approximately R200 million, was stolen from a police strongroom in Port Shepstone. The seizure of the cocaine dates back to June 22, 2021, when Hawks members, supported by Operation Response Services, inspected a shipping container at a local depot and found 27 canvas bags containing 20 one-kilogram bricks of cocaine each. The bricks were wrapped in black and yellow plastics, and the consignment was estimated to have a street value of R200 million. Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona, the KZN Hawks head, confirmed that he had authorized the transportation of the drugs to the Port Shepstone DPCI offices, where they were stored in a walk-in strongroom previously used to store mandrax and hashish.
Security Measures and the Theft
The walk-in strongroom where the cocaine was stored was supposed to be a secure facility, with access regulated through a key-booking system, restricted entry points, and controlled movement. However, despite these measures, the entire stash of cocaine 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, and records showed that the safe keys had been booked out to warrant officers.
Investigation and Polygraph Test
A national task team, led by the National Head of the DPCI, was established to investigate the burglary, and forensic work was assigned to the Amanzimtoti laboratory. However, 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 asked whether he should have requested a polygraph himself, Senona laughed, saying "it’s too late." He insisted that he would still submit to a polygraph if instructed, maintaining that he is "definitely" not implicated in the theft.
Commissioners’ Concerns and Criticisms
The commissioners were unconvinced by Senona’s testimony and expressed concern that he had not aggressively pursued answers about whether the drugs were recovered or if anyone had been charged. Co-Commissioner Sesi Baloyi pointed out that the theft happened under his watch and that he should have taken more initiative to clear his name. Co-Commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo described it as "reckless" that a cocaine haul of such magnitude was not protected by round-the-clock security. Evidence leader Adv. Adila Hassim also read into the record a document outlining glaring security failures at the Port Shepstone offices, including the lack of CCTV cameras, alarm system, and external beam sensors.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Senona has concluded his testimony at the commission, and the matter is still under investigation. President Cyril Ramaphosa has requested that Senona be investigated by a special task team, which is yet to be established. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether anyone will be held accountable for the theft of the cocaine. The Madlanga Commission will continue to investigate the matter and make recommendations to prevent similar security breaches in the future. In the meantime, the public is left wondering how such a large quantity of cocaine could be stolen from a supposedly secure police facility and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
