KZN Hawks head, Maj-Gen. Lesetja Senona, has testified at the Madlanga Commission from Tuesday to Thursday. Lesetja Senona, said he never underwent a polygraph test after cocaine worth aboutR200 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. 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 weighed541kg, with an estimated street value of R200 million.
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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.
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