There is no signed document stating the process to be followed for stopping a container; it is an operational process understood and referred to as a station order within Crime Intelligence at Durban Harbour sea border.
“There is no signed document that says this is the process we must follow. But it is like, I will put it this way, I will say we can call it a station order which the office must break it down to guide as to what the members need to do in the ground. This is a process you must follow when you stop the container.”
Crime Intelligence, border security, and ORS have been operating together for years with a memorandum of understanding to coordinate inspections and stopping of containers at Durban Harbour.
“Crime Intelligence, border security, and ORS, they have been working together for years, even before I came. They have been operating together... like a memorandum of understanding between the two offices because we rely on them when it comes to stopping containers and doing inspections because they have teams to conduct inspections.”
There is no formal written process adopted for stopping containers within this operational space at Durban Harbour, only procedures known verbally or operationally.
“As matters operate or for as long as you operated within this space, basically, there is no formal process that is adopted or that is written somewhere. ... No, we do not have.”
Once a container has passed through the port and been released to go to a depot, ORS does not have control over it anymore; one must liaise with the depot or transporter for inspection or stopping requests.
“If you pick up information after the fact, the container has already been - went through the port and released to go to a depot, it is not in the control of ORS anymore. It is in a depot where you now as a person that is getting information, you have to liaise with that depot.”
Police generally do not get refused access by depots for container inspection, as quicker inspections lead to releasing commodities and fewer complaints from buyers.
“Normally, I have never come to a depot that will refuse when the police want to do inspection because the quicker inspection is done and the commodity is released, it is good for them. Otherwise, their buying clients, start complaining. So, we have never come across where the depot will refuse.”
Crime Intelligence border security and ORS coordination works by verbal or email requests; a letter signed by the commander can be submitted if requested to place a stop on a container.
“Crime Intelligence does not need to issue documents to request a stop and detention of a container to arrest. It can be done verbally or by sending an email to arrest. However, an essay between one letter of request to place a stop signed by the commander can be submitted to ORS if requested to do so.”
The procedural process involves a profiler sending an official detention form and request to the shipping line to move the container to a licensed inspection depot, which the shipping line controls and must comply with police requests to stop containers for inspection.
“Procedurally briefing the Brigadier, those containers falls under where a profiler has sent an email on official detention form and requested the shipping line have the container moved to a licenced inspection depot. The depot is determined by shipping lines, and they have their own depot that are conducted. All shipping lines must comply with the request of the police...”
Containers that have already been released and cleared by customs are no longer under ORS control and go to depots elsewhere where inspection requires liaising with the depot.
A container involved in the case had already left the port before the investigation started, making it impossible for ORS to place a stop at the port.
“So in this instance, this one had already left the port. Although there was a SARS stop on it, but it already left the port. That is why we could not use ORS to place a stop.”
Crime intelligence information must be signed off and disseminated to VISPOL for planning and readiness against threats like strikes or imminent crimes.
Handlers in Crime Intelligence have registered informants as well as non-registered human sources who provide information without financial reward.
“Sources, you would have sources that you have registered as informants. Sometimes you have sources that are not registered. You would have contacts, people who provide you information, who are not expecting any financial pay.”
Ad hoc information is received in emergency situations and requires immediate operationalisation and cooperation for quick response.
“It is information that is not in the planning. Like, for example, if you are running an enquiry, you have a progressive investigation. But something that come now... you get a team to go over there and arrest him. That is what we refer to as Ad hoc cooperation.”
Lt-Col Duma states he had no prior insight into a visible policing and border police operations document until recently attempting to access it through the seaboard commander, but received no response until seeing it at the Commission.
“I have no insight of this document, I have never seen it. In fact, before I came here, I did, after consulting with your advocates, I did make contact with, via the seaboard commander to access this document to see what is in this document, and I did not receive any response until I see it here.”
The document under discussion was a visible policing document related to Durban Harbour policing, approved March 18, 2021, not a Crime Intelligence document.
“it is not Crime Intelligence, it is not a Crime Intelligence document, it is a visible policing document. So, I do not know much what is inside.”
Lt-Col Duma gathered intelligence about a consignment of drugs at a private depot in Durban, contacting the depot manager for permission to inspect container BEAU595535 placed for inspection on 2026-06-22.
“I was holding the rank of a Captain working at Security Intelligence in Border Security Durban. During the performance of my duties, I gained intelligence about consignment of drugs in one of the depots... I informed the manager that I had received the permission from transporter and clearing and forwarding agents to have container number BEAU595535, placed for inspection, and to be inspected by members of the SAPS on 2026-06-22... The container was secured by the depot manager of our assembly and operational team.”
LT-COLDUMADay 111 · 02 Jun 2026Refers to: 2026-06-21 to 2026-06-22Location: Border Security Durban, private depot 14 Avenue E, Prospecton, Durban
Lt-Col Duma received intelligence by telephone on 21 June from handled sources, took caution to protect the information and its origin due to risk of harm to sources and previous deaths linked to insider revelations.
“the proper information was received on the 21st of June telephonically... I told you and the evidence leader about the risks and the danger that comes with people who provide information... I highlighted to you as to why I had written that paragraph like that and the evidence leader agreed. We all agreed on protecting the original list of information as it may have repercussions when we disclose our source of information.”
In counter-narcotics operations in the area, containers suspected of containing drugs are inspected with the involvement of DPCI if drugs are found positive.
“Basically, in operations that are conducted in this area let us say you are getting information of a container that is coming. Maybe your information says it has counter-narcotics. So, you have two ways of doing it. After requesting a stop or arrest to put a stop you can request the DPCI to be present or you can ask the ORS inspection team to open the container for inspection to confirm what commodities are inside or if there is drugs inside. And if there are drugs, if it is positive, then you summon the DPCI to come to the scene.”
ORS is responsible for opening the container for inspection and, if drugs are found, contacts DPCI.
“Because the inspection will be done by the inspection team of ORS who will open the container for you. You are not going to open the container as an operative yourself. You will be there to say, this is a container. I have identified. Obviously, they will call you when it is ready for inspection and then you meet them there and you do inspection with them. You observe what is inside. And when they confirm, yes, it is counternarcotics then they will have to conduct the relevant units, which will include the DPCI.”
ORS has an inspection team that, upon finding drugs during container inspection, contacts DPCI to attend the scene.
“Yes, ORS has an inspection team. When after opening a container, then they found drugs, they will contact the DPCI. Or you as a handler, you can also contact the DPCI.”
There is no written process for container inspections; decisions to involve DPCI or only ORS depend on discretion and operational context.
“As I explained, this is the process that we follow when we deal with containers. There is no written process that we can say, this is the office process that was designed. This is what we must do when we deal with containers. So, a handler can decide, here is the information I am getting of drugs. Do I take DPCI with? Or the container is still at the harbour. It must know it is still at the harbour. If it is still at the harbour, it is under the control of ORS. There is nothing wrong by using ORS before contacting the DPCI.”
ORS can inspect containers both inside and outside the harbour; if a stop is placed, ORS handles the container while it remains in the harbour.
“They can also do inspections when it is outside the harbour. But what I am trying to say, if they have placed a stop, then they will deal with it when it is staying in the harbour?”
If counterfeit goods are suspected instead of drugs, the container will be opened, and brand attorneys will be involved to confirm counterfeit status.
“Let us move away from drugs now. Let us say it is counterfeit. They will open. Then they will realise, oh, no, here, it is a possibility that these goods are counterfeit. We need to get brand attorneys to be present. And then we need to do a full unpack.”
Once the container is sealed and moved to the depot, brand attorneys take samples to confirm counterfeit goods, then commercial crime unit of DPCI takes over investigation.
“And then that container will be sealed using a polystyrene. They will seal it. And then it should be taken to the depot, where a date will be set for a full unpack of the container, where the brand attorney can then come and take samples to confirm whether it is counterfeit. Then they will be notified to take over that investigation.”
Operational communication between units such as ORS and DPCI is mostly via phone calls or informal liaison, not formal paperwork, but formal letters (SAP21) are used if necessary.
“You know, Commissioners, at the operational level, it works differently. It does not work with paper all the time. It works with understanding between units which are working operationally. Some of these things, there is no time to say, now here is a container, now you found counterfeit goods, then you must go to your office and write a letter to request DPCI. It does not work that way. You pick up the phone, you call. The person that you are speaking to, you will say, okay, speak to my commander. You speak to the commander, you explain. Or you speak to a commander who lies with the commander of DPCI at their level, at their seniority. They will liaise this, you know. But if there is a need for an official letter, which we refer to as SAP21, which is the letter that we write when we request any information or any assistance within the police, that will be drawn up.”
Normal operational process prioritizes personal communication and practical liaison first; paperwork comes later to ensure lawfulness.
“But on a normal operational process, there is no time to do letters and all those. That gets attended to at a later stage. It is all about communicating personally. Or maybe go have a meeting, go to the office, set up a meeting, discuss and continue. It works as always. Because at the end of the day, we have to work. As long as we know that we are still within the context of the law, we are not doing anything wrong.”
If a commodity is found to be false declaration or under declaration by customs, customs takes over; if it involves criminal cases like illicit cigarettes, drugs, counterfeit goods, police take control and DPCI must be informed for investigations.
“It is also determined that the commodity was – if it is determined that the commodity was false declaration or under declaration , then customs will take over and do the necessary. Whether there is a criminal case , for example, illicit cigarettes , drugs , counterfeit goods or precursor chemicals , the police will usually take control of the commodities. Whenever there is information of drugs , DPCI must be informed in order to take over the crime scene for investigation.”
Customs may detain and inspect containers under Customs Act without police unless drugs are detected, in which case DPCI must be called for investigation and command/control of drug seizures and forensic processing.
“Customs may detain and inspect containers in terms of the Customs Act and do not require the police unless they have detected drugs. In that instance, DPCI must be called out to conduct an investigation. In the case of drug cases, DPCI will have to command and control. These seizures, packaging and forensic processing is controlled by DPCI.”
ORS and customs have their own SOPs designed by the Union Commander in Sea Borders, always followed by Border Security; no written SOP document at office, but guided by intelligence operational processes.
“The ORS and customs have their own SOP which they follow. This SOP was designed by the Union Commander in Sea Borders and has all along been followed by Border Security through the years. There is no written SOP document available to provide in this regard at the office as we are guided by intelligence operational processes.”
Lt-Col Duma explained the operational process of tracing a container upon receiving its number, contacting the transporter, clearing and forwarding agent and ultimately the depot manager to get permission for inspection, stressing the need to protect sensitive information to avoid compromising consignments.
“after gathering information and getting a container number, the first thing when you get a container number you need to contact ORS to try and trace where the container is exactly... I spoke to the transporter and I spoke to the clearing forwarding agent and they referred me to the depot manager. And then I contacted the depot manager. I spoke to her... I just mentioned that it is a container of interest... We just want to check the commodity... I did that to protect the information so that it does not leak that, you know, we lose the consignment.”
Lt-Col Duma acknowledged that he cannot recall the names of the transporter and clearing and forwarding agent he spoke to, but remembers the container number and the depot manager's name.
“I remember the container number. I know the manager at the depot that I spoke to. But the transporter and the clearing and forwarding, eish, I cannot remember their details. But I know I spoke to them.”
Lt-Col Duma confirmed the telephone call for permission to inspect the container was made to the transporter but does not recall with whom exactly he spoke.
“the telephone call, who did you speak to... from the transporter? Yes, from the transporter to get permission. That is what I am saying... I do not remember.”
The report submitted by LT-COLDUMA to his commander about the operation would typically include information about the presence of ORS at the seal breaking.
Although a container may be cleared by customs, the police can still place a stop on the container if it is suspected to have been involved in a commission of an offence.
“Although it is cleared by customs, but you can still place a stop as a police official if you believe that it is, there is, it has been used in a commission of an offence, you can still place a stop wherever it is.”
LT-Colduma's role at the scene was to show the members where the scene was and observe to ensure the operation took place successfully and exhibits were recovered.
“My role at the scene was to show the members at the scene where the scene is, and then when I get there, was to observe for my own records to ensure that this operation takes place successfully and the exhibits are recovered.”
Not all bags were opened at the container; only one or two bags were opened, which revealed that the contents were drugs.
“From what I observed, they did not open all the bags. I think they opened maybe one or two bags, and they realize, no, this is drugs and after that bags were, not all the bags were open at the time.”
The container was not sealed on the day of operation by the DPCI; however, it was resealed after removal of bags, possibly with an ORS seal.
“No, from what I observed, Commissioners, after the bags had been removed and placed in the police car, the container was sealed with another seal. If I am not mistaken, it could be a seal from ORS, if not the depot, but it was re-sealed.”
DPCI was in charge of everything at the scene and the operation and handled the crime scene management and exhibits; LT-Colduma only stood back to observe as a Crime Intelligence member and prepared reports for the Crime Intelligence office.
“No, I did not have that because at that stage, DPCI was in charge of everything, so I just stood back and you know, observed.”
Crime Intelligence officers do not interfere in cordoning off the crime scene, calling Local Criminal Record Centre or Forensics, conducting searches or making arrests; these are duties of Detectives, here specifically DPCI members.
“Crime Intelligence officers do not get involved in cordoning off the crime scene, calling of Local Criminal Record Centre or Forensics, conducting searches and making arrests, as this is the duties of the Detectives, which in this instance was the members of DPCI.”
DPCI members at the scene took charge of the crime scene and made decisions regarding it, having experience and expertise in handling crime scenes.
“In this matter, DPCI members who were in the scene took charge of the crime scene and made decisions. DPCI have experience and are experts in handling crime scenes, and it is their mandate to handle the crime scene and exhibits.”