Top Hawks Boss Major-General Senona Faces Axe Over Missing R200m Cocaine and Other Allegations

Top cop Major-General Lesetja Senona has until Monday to explain why he should not be removed as KwaZulu-Natal’s head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.

One of the issues that continues to hound Senona is the controversial case involving the theft of 541 kilograms of cocaine valued at R200 million, which went missing from a storage facility in Port Shepstone that had no alarm system in November 2021.

The missing cocaine, which was seized by Hawks investigators after inspecting a shipping container at a Durban depot in June 2021, was one of the issues that came under scrutiny when Senona appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry last week.

The disappearance of the cocaine initially prompted the Hawks to classify it as a break-in and theft, but nearly five years later, no arrests have been made in the matter.

Sources close to the ongoing internal investigation suggested that Senona might be involved in the disappearance of the cocaine and other unlawful activities.

“An investigation into his conduct has been completed, and a disciplinary enquiry has been initiated against Senona and others,” revealed a source familiar with the matter.

Senona has publicly denied any wrongdoing. However, his position as KZN’s Hawks boss during the period has raised questions about his oversight of operations.

While testifying at the Madlanga Commission about the missing drugs, Senona stated that someone “sold them out”, but that it was not him.

Commission evidence leader Adila Hassim read out a document highlighting the shortcomings in security at the Port Shepstone facility.

“One, no CCTV cameras are installed in and around the premises. Two, there’s no early warning alarm system in the office space, especially in offices located on the ground floor. Three, no beam sensors are located exterior to the office location.”

Senona claimed he was not appointed as head of the Hawks in the province when the cocaine was stolen, but was leading the unit when at least three other break-ins occurred.

At the same time, the Madlanga Commission referred Senona for further investigation in an interim report adopted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Thursday, the presidency announced that Ramaphosa had accepted the interim report from the commission, which recommended the investigation and prosecution of several officials, including Senona, South African Police Service head of organised crime Richard Shibiri, Sedibeng district commissioner Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

The commission stated in its report that there was sufficient prima facie evidence for an investigation, including a probe into several officials within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.

The presidency said Ramaphosa had directed acting police minister Firoz Cachalia and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola to constitute a special investigations task team.

Visham Panday, founder and spokesperson of the VP Justice Foundation, has previously advocated for Senona’s suspension and said it was necessary to “remove the cancer in the law enforcement agency”.

Panday expressed satisfaction with the recent actions taken against Senona, saying: “The fact that he has been given a notice regarding his removal as head of the Hawks is a step in the right direction.”

Professor Nirmala Gopal, a criminologist from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said she welcomed the decision to suspend or remove Senona, adding that it would restore public confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Gopal also stated that it would give confidence in the president, as people would see that he was dealing with “corrupt” elements within the police force.

“His removal won’t leave a void in the province, as there will be someone acting or appointed to the position. What we must be wary of is appointing someone like Senona again to such a position,” she added.

The DPCI’s national spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, declined to reveal specifics, insisting that such matters remain confidential between employees and their employer.

She confirmed that the investigation into the Port Shepstone theft is ongoing and that no individuals have yet been charged.

DAILY NEWS