Lebeya ‘can’t recall’ being told where 541kg cocaine haul was stored

IOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenter3 hr. ago

Retired Hawks commander Godfrey Lebeya testified before the Madlanga Commission that he was unaware that former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Lesetja Senona had been given access to a Port Shepstone storage facility where 541kg of seized cocaine was kept. This contradicts Senona's previous statement that he had informed Lebeya about the storage location. The evidence presented highlights significant security flaws at the facility, including malfunctioning cameras, poor alarm systems, and insufficient staffing. The drugs, valued at approximately R200 million, were later stolen, raising concerns about potential insider involvement. Senona was not subjected to a polygraph test after the theft.

Bias read (Center): The article presents conflicting testimonies between two officials without overtly favoring one side. It reports on the investigation into a drug theft involving security lapses and internal accountability issues within law enforcement. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the discrepancies in证词

Mail & GuardianIndependentCenter5 hr. ago

Godfrey Lebeya, former head of the Hawks intelligence unit, testified before the Madlanga commission that he could not recall being informed by his predecessor, Lesetja Senona, about the storage location of a 541kg cocaine seizure. The drugs were later stolen from the Hawks' Port Shepstone facility in 2021. Lebeya stated that he became aware of the consignment only after it was already in storage and emphasized that the responsibility for storing seized items belonged to operational units, not himself. He acknowledged the security vulnerabilities at the facility and authorized internal investigations into the theft. Senona had previously claimed he informed Lebeya about the storage location, but Lebeya could not confirm this.

Bias read (Center): The article presents testimony from both Lebeya and Senona without overtly favoring either side. It reports their conflicting accounts regarding communication about the storage of seized drugs and does not include biased language or selective sourcing. The framing remains neutral, focusing on the un

IOL (Independent Online)Party-alignedCenter2 days ago

Deenadayalan Govender, a KZN Hawks officer, has been ordered to testify publicly before the Madlanga Commission on Monday, August 31, regarding certain aspects of an investigation. Initially, Govender had requested that parts of his testimony be heard in private, but this request was partially denied. The ruling allows for some information to remain confidential, such as witness identities, police strategies, and intelligence methods. However, testimony related to a counterintelligence operation involving organized drug gangs in Durban will still be heard in private.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the legal decision made by the Madlanga Commission neutrally, without apparent bias toward any political side. It outlines the conditions under which the testimony will be given, including both public and private elements, without favoring one perspective over another.