Cocaine stash stolen in Port Shepstone questioned at Madlanga Commission
The incident occurred in 2021, and investigations are still ongoing.
The 541kg cocaine stash valued at R200m, which was stolen from the Port Shepstone Hawks office in 2021, has come under the scrutiny of the Madlanga Commission.
Head of the Hawks in KZN, Major General Lesetja Senona, was questioned about the theft recently.
At the time of the incident, the then Hawks spokesperson, Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo, said the perpetrator had gained entry through a window by forcing it open.
However, the break-in happened months after Senona took up his post as head of the Hawks in the province.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, the stolen drugs were seized in a police operation at the Durban Harbour and stored at Port Shepstone.
Evidence presented before the commission showed that there were reports of other break-ins at the facility dating back to 2011. Also, it had no alarm system or CCTV cameras installed.
According to Advocate Sandile Khumalo, who questioned Senona, break-ins occurred at the facility in 2011, 2018, 2020 and in 2021.
He asked Senona why did he did not make inquiries about the facility before he made a decision to store the drugs in Port Shepstone.
Senona replied that he was told the only storeroom with sufficient space was in Port Shepstone.
Furthermore, he stated that he suspects the theft was an inside job and that they (Hawks) were sold out by an insider.
According to Mhlongo, investigations in the theft case are ongoing.
* The Madlanga Commission is a public inquiry announced in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa and headed by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations made by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of collusion and corruption between politicians, senior police, prosecutors, intelligence operatives and elements of the judiciary.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
