Suspended Hawks KZN Provincial Commander Brigadier Campbell Nyuswa has distanced himself from the Port Shepstone drug theft that took place in 2021.
Nyuswa, who issued the instruction that the 541-kilogram drug consignment be stored at the Hawks’ Port Shepstone premises, testified that he was not involved in the theft.
He also said he believed the theft may have been staged and alluded to the fact that those responsible are allegedly known.
Nyuswa has testified that he was not involved in the theft of drugs estimated to be worth R200 million.
He was the senior Hawks official who instructed that the drugs be stored at the Hawks’ offices in Port Shepstone.
“The allegations relate to the Port Shepstone theft. It is alleged that I failed to comply with or contravened legislation or legal obligation by storing exhibits at the Port Shepstone DPCI offices, which did not have adequate security, resulting in the theft of exhibits, and that I acted in a manner which brought the SAPS into disrepute, and that there is an element of dishonesty involved in the storing of the exhibit. I had no involvement in the Port Shepstone theft,” he adds.
Testimony before the Madlanga Commission states that KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona had the keys to the safe where the drug consignment was kept.
Further evidence indicates that the safe was breached using a grinder.
However, Nyuswa told Commissioner Sandile Khumalo that he suspected the break-in may have been staged, as he was under the impression that the safe could not be accessed without a key.
Khumalo: Is it your suspicion that the safe was opened first and the grinding happened afterwards? Because, reading between the lines, that’s what it looks like you are saying here. And I could be wrong, so I need you to clarify that.
Nyuswa: Commissioners, I’m not an expert. Hence I’m saying if we can get people who are experts in safes, they can clarify that,” says Nyuswa.
Madlanga Commission | Cocaine theft suspect’s identity nearly slips out
Nyuswa was further questioned about why he did not disclose in his previous statements that the safe at the Hawks’ Port Shepstone offices could not be breached without a key.
Testimony before the Commission has revealed that Senona was in possession of the keys to the strong room.
Commission Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned whether Nyuswa feared Senona and was therefore reluctant to voice his suspicions.
“Were you afraid of General Senona that you were not direct and voiced your suspicion? And scared of him because you knew that the keys, except for the times that someone else would take them for a while, were otherwise always with him. Were you scared of him to voice your suspicion or for not voicing your suspicion?”
“Commissioners, it was very difficult for me,” says Nyuswa.
“Were you scared of him?,” adds Justice Madlanga.
“If I say this, then people will say I’m suspecting someone, then my life is in danger,” explains Nyuswa.
Nyuswa further claimed that there is credible evidence identifying the person believed to be behind the theft of the 541-kilogram cocaine consignment.
He testified that an alleged informer visited the Hawks’ Durban offices and provided senior officials with information relating to the matter.
“As testified by Warrant Officer [Karl] Sander and Lieutenant Colonel [Gavin] Jacob, there is credible evidence on the identity of who is behind the theft. I have no association with that person.”
“There was a person that came to the Durban office and gave information about it, and he was taken to senior officers, and DPCI investigators were told about this person,” explains Nyuswa.
Madlanga Commission | Canny and Ayanda unpack Nyuswa’s testimony:
About the Author
