Kamogelo Moichela | Published 16 minutes ago
KZN Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona said he was never warned about the security threats at the Port Shepstone Hawks offices before 541 kilograms of cocaine were stored there.
The drugs with an estimated value of R200 million were stolen in 2021.
The commission is probing how the large cocaine haul disappeared and whether internal failures, negligence, or possible misconduct within law enforcement played a role.
Testifying at the Madlanga Commission on Friday, Senona said he only became aware of smaller break-ins at the Port Shepstone offices after the main theft had already happened.
“At no stage were the security concerns at Port Shepstone brought to my attention,” he told the commission, insisting he had no prior knowledge of risks at the facility.
He also pushed back on claims that he failed to complete key documentation linked to the control and handover of safe keys.
Senona said he was not familiar with those procedures and had never dealt with them before.
“These procedures were not within my knowledge and I have never dealt with the same before even in relation to the safe in my office,” he said.
The hearing also revisited serious allegations from Warrant Officer Karl Sander, who accused Senona of removing him from a narcotics unit after seeing him as a threat.
Sander further alleged he was linked to drug syndicates and improperly subjected to polygraph testing, including an investigation involving a stolen coffee machine.
Senona rejected the claims outright.
“It is not true,” he said, denying any role in the allegations or any recollection of ordering a polygraph test related to the coffee machine matter.
In his testimony, Sander broke down in tears at the commission after evidence surfaced that appeared to clear him of wrongdoing, which he said was based on false accusations.
Senona has also denied any involvement in the cocaine theft. The inquiry continues.
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IOL (Independent Online)IndependentCenter2 days agoMajor-General Lesetja Senona, head of the KZN Hawks, testified before the Madlanga Commission regarding the 2021 theft of 541 kilograms of cocaine valued at R200 million from Port Shepstone Hawks offices. Senona stated he was unaware of any security threats at the location prior to the theft and denied being informed of previous break-ins. He also claimed ignorance of certain procedural requirements related to safe key management. The commission is investigating potential internal failures, negligence, or misconduct within law enforcement surrounding the incident. Warrant Officer Karl Sander's
Bias read (Center): The article presents testimony from Major-General Lesetja Senona without overtly favoring either his account or the allegations against him. It includes direct quotes from Senona and references other allegations made by Warrant Officer Karl Sander but does not editorialize or emphasize one side over
Official sources cited
- government Testimony of Major-General Lesetja Senona
- government Allegations from Warrant Officer Karl Sander
IOL (Independent Online)IndependentCenter2 days ago WATCH | The man with the keys: Senona faces fresh scrutiny over missing cocaine | Madlanga InquiryLesetja Senona, former head of the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, is testifying again before the Madlanga Commission investigating the 2021 theft of 541kg of confiscated cocaine from a Hawks facility. The commission heard testimony from KZN Hawks commander Brig. Campbell Nyuswa, who stated that the drugs were stored in a secure strong room and that Senona was given keys to the facility. Nyuswa acknowledged prior security concerns but expressed confidence in the safety measures due to the secure nature of the storage unit.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information from testimonies provided during the Madlanga Commission inquiry. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content focuses on the procedural aspects of the investigation and quotes directly from the testimony of涉
Official sources cited
- government Testimony of Brig. Campbell Nyuswa
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