Hawks officer, Lt-Colonel Kwazikwakhe Sibiya, has testified at the Madlanga Commission to testify more on the R200 million stolen drugs in KZN.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
The Madlanga Commission is set for another crucial day on Friday as a new Hawks witness, Lieutenant Colonel Kwazikwakhe Sibiya, testifies amid mounting scrutiny over missing drugs, evidence failures, and leadership within the elite crime-fighting unit.
Sibiya is expected to take the stand after the appearance of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Hawks boss Leseja Senona was postponed because his legal counsel fell ill.
The commission has spent the week probing the handling of drug seizures and the storage of evidence, with testimony exposing serious concerns about missing narcotics, breaches of procedure, and accountability within the Hawks.
Attention has largely centred on events that unfolded under Senona's leadership, with investigators examining how drug exhibits were managed and safeguarded.
The inquiry took a dramatic turn on Thursday when Hawks officer Colonel Gavin Jacob admitted that key claims in his affidavit were false.
Jacob, head of the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Durban, was questioned about the 2021 seizure of 541 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated R200 million.
The drugs were later stolen from Hawks offices in Port Shepstone.
Under intense questioning from Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello SC, Jacob conceded that parts of his affidavit were inaccurate and that established procedures had not been followed.
A key issue before the Commission is Jacob's claim that all available storage options near Durban had been explored before the cocaine was transported more than 100 kilometres to Port Shepstone.
However, Jacob admitted he never contacted several nearby police stations, including Maydon Wharf, to check whether secure storage facilities were available.
The proceedings are underway in Pretoria.
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