Alberton SAPS

Warrant Officer Phakula joined SAPS as a student constable in the Client Service Centre at Alberton SAPS, then transferred to the Alberton Detective Branch in 2006 and Germiston Trio Task Team in 2008, investigating serious crimes.

“I joined the South African Police Service as a student constable working in the Client Service Centre at Alberton SAPS. In 2006, I was transferred to the Alberton Detective Branch, where I performed my duties as a Detective investigating serious and violent crimes. In 2008, I joined Germiston Trio Task Team, responsible for all the investigations relating to house robberies, business robbery, and hijacking cases within the Germiston cluster.”

The witness was working with Warrant Officer Magane on 9 July 2021 to arrest suspects involved with drugs in the Alberton area, with information suggesting the suspects might be going to the receiver of the cargo in Aeroton where a container was being opened.

“On that particular day, the 9 July 2021, Warrant Officer Magane informed me that he was following up upon information about the drugs and that he needed backup...they were in Aeroton and had opened the container already. He said there were black bags falling out of the container.”

After arriving at Alberton SAPS, the witness phoned Warrant Officer Magane to enquire how far they were and was told to drive through to assist in Aeroton, receiving a WhatsApp location of Omni Park Business Park.

“After spending about 15 minutes at Alberton SAPS waiting, I phoned Warrant Officer Magane to enquire how far are they, and he said I should rather drive through to assist in Aeroton. I requested him to share his location, and he sent a WhatsApp message with the name of the premises they were at, Omni Park Business Park.”

On 9 July 2021 at about 06:25 a.m., Warrant Officer Magane received a call from Deputy Chief Director Samuel Mashaba of Gauteng Traffic Police regarding information about a truck allegedly carrying drugs near Roodekop next to Leondale area under Alberton SAPS. Warrant Officer Magane was unable to assist immediately but promised to try to get members from the Dog Unit. He called Sergeant Maja from SAPS Ekurhuleni K9 Dog Unit but was told Maja was sleeping as he had worked a night shift previously. Warrant Officer Magane clarified that Sergeant Maja is from SAPS Ekurhuleni K9, not Ekurhuleni Metropolitan K9.

“It was on Friday, the 9th of July 2021 at approximately 06:25 a.m. when I received a call from Chief Samuel Mashaba. Chief Samuel Mashaba works at Gauteng Traffic Police and holds the rank of a Deputy Chief Director. Chief Mashaba called me regarding information about a truck which was allegedly carrying or transporting drugs. He was asking me for assistance or manpower and so to say in order to follow that information. According to his information, the alleged truck was somewhere around Roodekop, next to Leondale area, which falls under Alberton SAPS. It told Chief Mashaba that I was still busy at my station, at Zonkizizwe, so I was not able to assist him immediately, but I promised him that I would try some members that I know from Dog Unit. In this regard, I called Sergeant Maja from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Department Dog Unit, which is EMPD K9. But he unfortunately told me that he was sleeping as he worked a night shift the previous night. It then called Chief Mashaba back to give feedback from Sergeant Maja.””

Warrant Officer Magane accuses Warrant Officer Phakula of being untruthful in stating that after contacting his superior, Commander Sephungu, he received permission to proceed and assist Magane, and that he then proceeded to Alberton SAPS because he was told the truck and driver might be brought there for detention.

“Warrant Officer Phakula is being untruthful in his statement when he says that: “After he contacted his superior, Commander Sephungu, and informed him, I received and gave permission to proceed and assist Warrant Officer Magane.” That is what he says: “I then proceeded to Alberton SAPS as I was informed that they might be bringing the truck and the driver to Alberton for detention.””