General Senona

Mr Matlala requested the meeting with Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi and General Senona in April 2025 in Durban.

“I asked for the meeting. ... Yes, that is correct.”

The exhibits from the drug bust were transported to Port Shepstone and stored in a safe in the offices there, with a Port Shepstone official providing keys to the safe. General Senona and Brigadier Nyuswa were present during the storage and General Senona personally instructed that the safe keys be left with him.

“We arrived...at Port Shepstone offices and we were received by a Port Shepstone official who showed us their walk-in safe...General Senona was checking if the store room was suitable to store exhibits...After storing the exhibits in the safe...the safe keys were handed over to him accordingly.”

The Chairperson rejected Warrant Officer Mpangase's explanation and stated that the entry was false at the time it was made because exhibits were left locked in the safe under the control of General Senona.

“At the time you made the entry ... it was a false entry as at the time you made it, ... you are locking them there and you are taking the key back to General Senona. As at the time you made that entry, it was false.”

General Senona expresses concerns about unfair treatment by the Commission, asserting the Commission is enjoined to treat witnesses fairly.

“the general heading really of all what I am saying is concerns regarding what the General feels has been unfair treatment by the Commission”

General Senona is likely the witness who has been called back most frequently to testify in the Commission, despite having previously testified for three days in January.

“he is probably been the witness who has been called back more than anyone else to come back here, despite the fact that he testified for three days in January”

The General does not allege any serial refusal by Evidence Leaders to produce documents; no single document required from Evidence Leaders has been failed to produce.

“the General, even in his statement, does not make such an allegation . There is not a single document that the Evidence Leaders have been required to produce and have failed to produce”

Documents relating to testimony, reportedly claimed by Colonel Prinsloo and another to have been received two days before General Senona's statement, were provided as per a request from General Senona.

“the documents were provided on the basis of a request from General Senona . The request came in that week , and by the 29th , the documents were provided”

General Senona's complaints largely stem from a belief that he was not served with Rule 3.5 notices, which are notices issued when a person is implicated based on evidence and testimony.

“General Senona's complaints stem largely from a view that we have failed to serve him with a Rule 3 . 5 notices . And these are notices that we issue based on testimony and evidence”

No Rule 3.5 notices have been issued to General Senona as there has been no finding of implication of General Senona by witnesses or the Commission.

“we have found none and no Rule 3 . 5 notices have been issued”

General Senona is not considered implicated by the Commission or the witnesses, so no Rule 3.5 notices apply and he has no right of reply to allegations that he is not implicated to respond to.

“Where he is not implicated, his right of reply does not arise”

General Senona was scheduled to appear on 8 May 2026, but his testimony was postponed multiple times to 5 June due to an application by him and Commission scheduling challenges.

“General Senona was scheduled to appear on the 8th of May 2026 . He was part of the DPCI KZN management . ... He presented himself on the 1st of June . ... he had to be stood down to the 5th of June”

General Senona was not intended to be engaged as an implicated person regarding the Port Shepstone drug bust, but as head of DPCI-KZN as part of management ultimately responsible.

“He was never intended to be engaged on the matter as an implicated person . The thinking has always been to engage him as head of DPCI-KZN , ... at the end of the day would , except that the buck stops with him”

Warrant Officer Karl Sander made allegations against Major General Senona in his testimony of 1 June.

“...we refer to the Chairperson's ruling on 1 June... the statement of Warrant Officer Karl Sander, who in his testimony of 1 June made certain allegations against Major General Senona.”

General Senona was served with a disciplinary notice two days after his last appearance at the Commission, stating he was suspended because of what he said at the Madlanga Commission.

“On the 31st of January, two days after the last appearance of the General here, he was served with a disciplinary notice by the police and it said in so many words, you are being suspended because of what you said at the Madlanga Commission.”

The suspension of General Senona lapsed because nothing happened within 60 days.

“By the way, that suspension lapsed because in 60 days' time nothing had happened.”

General Senona was suspended before he could do anything and the suspension was related to the Commission's proceedings.

“...unfortunately he was suspended before he could do anything.”

Advocate Mpofu asserts that Brigadier Nyuswa was made aware of General Senona's opposing version during preparation for his statement, as communicated by the Evidence Leaders, which raises issues of fairness and legal appropriateness.

“when Brigadier Nyuswa was being recognized or preparing for his statement, he was told what the version of General Senona will be on that particular point... it would have been appropriate, legally speaking, for him to be placed in the same position that the Evidence Leaders chose to put Brigadier Nyuswa”

Advocate Mpofu objects to the characterization of Ms Burger's response and insists that the context of the letter from June 1st requesting postponement of General Senona's statement must be properly recorded and understood.

“The response of Ms Burger... is to say that General Senona, there is a ruling, you must abide by that ruling, and you cannot get a postponement... what you characterize as arrogant is really a restating of the position”

According to Advocate Mpofu, the letter from General Senona's attorneys seeks postponement of the statement filing on grounds that other witnesses have yet to testify and their statements need to be seen first.

“this letter from the attorneys in paragraphs 4 and 5 seeks a postponement of the filing of that statement... on the basis that other witnesses are still going to testify, there are other statements, I should first see those statements”

Statements of witnesses are not given out until the witness has testified, and they are not published or given to the media earlier.

“statements do not go out until a witness has testified”

Brigadier Nyuswa is a brigadier who testified on 17 June and the Commission does not release witness statements until after the witness has confirmed them, which may delay potential assistance to General Senona's team who wanted a copy of Brigadier Nyuswa's statement by 1 June.

“Brigadier Nyuswa is a Brigadier, testified on Wednesday, the 17th... by the 1st of June, General Senona's team wanted a copy of his statement and as the Commission points out, the Commission does not release any statement until the witness has confirmed it”

General Senona is currently a Major General in the SAPS and placed on suspension due to issues related to the storage and theft of exhibits from the Commission.

“I am a Major General in the South African Police Service... I am currently placed on suspension... because of the storage and the theft of exhibits which emanated from the Commission”

After testifying, Maj-Gen Senona was forcibly removed from his office at gunpoint on 1 January and was told not to return; his tools of trade were taken, impacting his safety and that of his family.

“I was taken out of my office at gunpoint and on the 1st of January. I raise the issues of safety, but a ruling was done. I was taken out of my office, escorted with firearms, and I was told not to come back to the office. My tools of trades were taken...ever since that day, I am not 100% well in terms of safety, my safety and that of my family.”

Maj-Gen Senona states he is currently under two suspensions related to police disciplinary matters; the first suspension was improperly managed and the second relates to the theft and storage of drugs at Port Shepstone.

“It is two suspensions. The first one, I was suspended, and because evidence was given at the Commission under oath... and then on the 22nd of May, it was 77 days after I was suspended, the suspension was uplifted, of which it was uplifted by my supervisor who did not have the power to do so... On the 3rd... I was provided with another suspension. The second suspension that I am on now talks to the issues of theft and storage of drugs at Port Shepstone.”

Maj-Gen Senona is willing to assist the Commission despite his ongoing disciplinary hearing that coincides with the Commission's dates.

“To show that I am willing to assist the Commission, I opted to come here, not to go to that side... There was a date for me to attend another disciplinary hearing today at 10 o'clock, it is currently ongoing.”

Maj-Gen Senona filed a sworn statement responding to a Regulation 10.6 notice related to the seizure of 541 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the CHC depot in Durban Harbour on 22 June 2021.

“...a Regulation 10.6 notice of 4 May... calls upon me to answer certain questions relating to the seizure of 541 kilograms of drugs (Cocaine)... At the CHC depot, Avenue East, 14th Avenue, East Isipingo Prospect on, Durban Harbour, on the 22nd of June 021...”

Maj-Gen Senona claims at least three witnesses have implicated him in the drug seizure and storage occurring on 22 June 2021, and that the Commission provided their statements only two days before his sworn statement deadline.

“At least three witnesses have given evidence implicating me in the drug seizure and storage of 22 June 2021... The Commission only furnished me with the statements late afternoon on Friday, 29 May 2026, a mere two days before my sworn statement had to be filed...”

Maj-Gen Senona alleges retired Lt Col Prinsloo failed to disclose to the Commission that he informed the District Commissioner about the drug storage and requested Visible Policing patrols, incorrectly claiming Senona instructed no one to be informed and never requesting assistance.

“I have several concerns regarding my evidence tendered by Colonel Prinsloo. This includes his failure to disclose to the Commission that he informed the District Commissioner in that district about the storage of the drugs and that he requested Visible Policing patrols in the area. He alleges that I instructed that no one be informed about the storage, but he never requested additional assistance from my office.”

Maj-Gen Senona apologizes for oversight in initially referring to the drugs as cocaine and affirms his statement concerns suspected cocaine storage.

“Sorry, General Senona, just to be clear, you are still referring to the suspected Cocaine, not another storage? 100%, Commissioner. Apologies for my oversight...”

Maj-Gen Senona confirms the affidavit mentioned by Adv Sello is the one made immediately after the incident requested by Lt Gen Mosikili.

“It is a statement that he made immediately after the incident where we were requested by Lieutenant General Mosikili to provide affidavit of the incidents.”

Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo failed to disclose the visit to Maj-Gen Senona by Brigadier Naicker and the two Warrant Officers at Port Shepstone offices and no report or feedback concerning such visits were received by his office.

“Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo also failed to disclose the visit to me by Brigadier Naicker, who is from head office, and the two Warrant Officers at Port Shepstone offices...my office never received any report or feedback concerning such visitor inspections”

Maj-Gen Senona does not dispute the visit by Brigadier Naicker and Warrant Officers but states it was never brought to his attention and no report of the inspection was ever sent to his office.

“I am not disputing the visit...However, I am indicating...that the visit initially was never brought to my attention. And thereafter, even a report of such an inspection was never brought or sent to my office.”

Maj-Gen Senona testified about security concerns including alleged burning smells observed by another member but failed to escalate these concerns to his attention after attempts with Supply Chain Management and these concerns were never brought to his attention prior to drug storage at Port Shepstone.

“He testified about these security concerns...At no stage were these security concerns at Port Shepstone brought to my attention prior to the storage of these drugs there.”

Maj-Gen Senona states that Warrant Officer failed to complete the relevant document for the handing over and control of safe keys despite being aware of applicable procedures, which he did not know and had never dealt with before.

“He also failed to complete the relevant document to the handing over and control of the safe keys, despite him being aware of the applicable procedures. These procedures were not within my knowledge...”

Maj-Gen Senona states he is not an expert in Supply Chain Management and saw the handing over document of the safe keys for the first time before the Commission; the Warrant Officer never completed the document or requested signing for the keys.

“That document was presented before this Commission by Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo...It was the first time I saw it...He never testified that he tried to complete that and so that they must sign for the keys or so...It never happened and he never testified in that instance.”

Maj-Gen Senona failed to properly inspect the office premises on 7 and 8 November 2021 despite observing unusual lights on the ground floor and no occurrences or book entries were made regarding this; he only inspected his own office and left, which leaves a gap in security oversight.

“He failed to properly inspect the office premises during the afternoon of the Sunday on the 7th of November 2021 and the morning of Monday, 8 November 2021, despite observing that lights were on at the ground floor which he considered abnormal. No occurrence book entries were made in this regard...He only went into his office and did what he did and from there he left, of which it leaves a vacuum in my mind why he never did that.”

Maj-Gen Senona failed to disclose the visit by Brigadier Nyuswa to the Port Shepstone offices on 2 November 2021 shortly before the drug theft occurred; Brigadier Nyuswa confirmed his visit.

“He further failed to disclose the visit by Brigadier Nyuswa to the Port Shepstone offices on Tuesday, the 2nd of November 2021, shortly before the theft occurred...I can confirm, Commissioners, that Brigadier Nyuswa also testified here and he confirmed that he did visit the office on the 2nd of November 2021.”

Maj-Gen Senona never visited the Port Shepstone office since the drugs were stored there.

“From where I am sitting, I have never visited that office ever since those drugs were stored at Port Shepstone.”

The Commission heard that Warrant Officer Sanders was questioned by Commissioner Khumalo about his temporary placement letter signed by Maj-Gen Senona.

“Warrant Officer Sanders was questioned by Commissioner Khumalo on his temporary placement letter that was signed by me.”

General Senona transferred Warrant Officer Sander and that the transfer was not for nefarious reasons but due to serious allegations related to drug trafficking.

“no , sir , I said General Senona was the one who moved me ... I only became aware of the complaint when I received the instruction from the DPCI National Head ... the complaint's email was addressed to the National Head and others , not to myself”

Warrant Officer Sander was supposed to return to the Serious Organized Crime Investigation (SOCI) unit where he was previously working, and there was no instruction given by Maj-Gen Senona for him to be placed at EPR instead.

“he can go back to Serious Organized Crime Investigation in Durban office where he was working before ... I have never specified that he should not be placed at EPR as it was said by Brigadier Nyuswa”

Maj-Gen Senona denies ever giving the instruction that Warrant Officer Sander must be placed at EPR, stating such instructions would be in writing and he has no recollection of issuing any such instruction.

“I have never given that instruction ... If I have given it, I would have maybe, or the Commission would have got a document as much as I placed him in Supply Chain Management”

Maj-Gen Senona states that he had to resort to verbal instructions due to the situation faced, and denies giving urgent written instructions placing Warrant Officer Sander elsewhere than SOCI.

“This verbal instruction, it is out of necessity to do verbal instruction because of the situation we are facing with ... I never gave Brigadier Nyuswa that type of an instruction that he must not go back there, he must go there”

Maj-Gen Senona states that his tools of trade, including his laptop and documents, were taken by force on 31 January, making it difficult to assist the Commission.

“However, as I said, my tools of trades were taken by force ... On the 31st of January, my laptop and everything, I do not know what happened there ... it was a serious mountain to climb”

Maj-Gen Senona was receiving progress reports on the investigation into the allegations against Warrant Officer Sander, which were sent via Brigadier Nyuswa.

“I was receiving progress report ... Lieutenant Colonel Mtshali, he is now Colonel, was appointed to investigate ... progress report ... he will write it to Brigadier Nyuswa ... Brigadier Nyuswa will forward the email to me”

Maj-Gen Senona confirms he signed the letter placing Warrant Officer Sander in Supply Chain Management based on complaint and advice by head office.

“I confirm that this is my signature ... This is the letter that I signed, I placed him there, based on the complaint and advice by head office”

Maj-Gen Senona states he did not receive full documentation (only complaints) from head office regarding the investigation, limiting his ability to act especially during his suspension.

“They only send us the complaint ... they never provided us with that, the national office ... I am on suspension, I cannot force them ... There is nothing I can do. I am not even allowed to go to any offices of the DPCI”

Maj-Gen Senona asserts that there is no reason for him to be treated differently in providing evidence and requests that his evidence is not elicited in piecemeal fashion with unreasonably short time periods to file statements.

“There is no reason that I should be treated differently and expected to give evidence in the absence of this document ... There is also no reason why my evidence must be elicited in a piecemeal fashion ... I intend with this statement my answers to the 25 May 026 Regulation 10.6”

General Senona confirmed he appointed Colonel Jacob Acting Provincial Commander from 29 January to 18 February 2024, which confirms his evidence-in-chief.

“Colonel Jacob who was appointed to act in that period , which confirms my evidence - in - chief .”

General Senona called Colonel Jacob to his office with Warrant Officer Sander after receiving a complaint and engaged with him on these issues in a temporary transfer context.

“I called Colonel Jacob to come with Warrant Officer Sander . After I received the complaint . Into my office .”

Maj General Senona signed the letter involving Warrant Officer Sander and confirmed he was present when called.

“this letter was signed by me. He was there. I ... I called him because he was acting to come with Warrant Officer Sander to my office and that is where I effected this letter on page 475”

Warrant Officer Sander was temporarily placed at another post pending investigation on instruction from head office, not decided solely by Maj General Senona.

“I was complying with the directive from national office ... It is not the suspension, it is the temporary placement pending the outcome of the investigation ... The temporary placement was not your decision ... You executed an instruction from General Surajbali.”

Maj General Senona complied with directives from the National Head of DPCI who delegates correspondence to an executive support officer level of a Major General.

“At national office DPCI ... there is a post called executive support at the level of a Major General ... The national head ... does not sit and write letters ... that person holding this post will do those type of correspondences through directive given by the National Head ... I received that directive and complied with it.”

Instructions related to temporary placement of Warrant Officer Sander came from General Libiya via or through Major General Surajbali; General Surajbali alone does not have authority to give instructions.

“Ordinarily, yes... The directive would have come from General Libiya, not from [Maj General Surajbali], if all he is, or he is, is an executive assistant to General Libiya ... Because she does not have authority to give instructions ... You are hundred percent on the dot ...”

There is no email evidence showing Major General Surajbali instructed Maj General Senona to temporarily place Warrant Officer Sander at another post.

“Now here in that chain of emails is there an instruction that Warrant Officer Sander be placed on, be temporarily transferred? ... I confirm on this document it is not there ...”

If directives were from head office (General Libiya), decisions to remove and restore Warrant Officer Sander would also come from head office; it was not Maj General Senona's own decision.

“If you were acting on the instruction from head office, which is General Libiya, surely the decision to restore or to return Warrant Officer Sander to SOCI ... could also not be your decision ... The return ... also has to be based on an instruction from head office ...”

Major General Senona took the initiative to place a Warrant Officer temporarily elsewhere pending the finalization of an investigation despite instructions to the contrary.

“Instruction was that placed him temporarily elsewhere until the finalisation of the investigation... I took it upon myself to place him back”

Brigadier Nyuswa stated that Warrant Officer Sander requested to be returned to SOCI, but General Senona instructed him that he must go to EPR instead.

“At some point, Warrant Officer came to speak to me about returning to SOCI... General Senona said Warrant Officer Sander must go to EPR”

General Senona denies recalling telling Brigadier Nyuswa that Warrant Officer Sander must go to EPR and states he decided to place him at Supply Chain pending investigation.

“I do not recall telling him that he must go to EPR. It is me who took a decision to put him at Supply Chain...”

Maj-Gen Senona was found not guilty and discharged on all charges in a disciplinary case instituted against him.

“The disciplinary that was instituted against me, I was found not guilty and discharged on all charges.”

Maj-Gen Senona stated that very limited people must know about the storage issue discussed, though it sounded that a number of people actually knew about the storage.

“even though I said very limited people must know, but it sounds that a number of people know about the storage.”

Maj-Gen Senona prepared a factual report about the theft of drugs at Port Shepstone for General Mosikili, based on information provided to him by Brigadier Nyuswa.

“I requested him to get me the information, and he gave me a draft. And then out of the draft, I did rectify whatever I had to, and then I read it. I was satisfied and then I sent it to the Deputy National Head by then.”

Maj-Gen Senona denied ever misleading anyone regarding the events of 22 June 2021 and the subsequent theft of drugs.

“I never misled any person.”

Maj-Gen Senona disagreed with the assertion that he misled General Mosikili about the events and circumstances of 22 June 2021 and the subsequent theft.

“I disagree with the fact that I misled the General.”

Maj-Gen Senona denies intentionally misleading his superior regarding a report prepared by his subordinates.

“I took offence very serious because I did not. If it is me who sat down and write this report on my own, although I appended my signature, I will say, ja, but it is not me. It is my subordinates who prepared this report, who had information to assist me to report to my superiors.”

General Senona took the statement that ORS members were present during the breaking of the seal from Nyuswa, who gave him a report to that effect.

“You give an explanation where you take that statement from. You say Nyuswa, I think it is, gave you a report, and that is what he said, and that is where you get that statement.”

Senona denies intentionally misleading his superior and clarifies that he receives reports prepared by others and does not personally write them.

“... I receive reports. I can go with it, but not that I misled my superior. I might be suspended or expelled. I have experienced a lot of disciplinary cases since I came here. ... I am an honest person. Me and lies, we lie parallel. ... I do not want to be expelled before I go on pension for things that I did not do. I have just been cleared.”

Senona expresses fear that he might receive another suspension or be intimidated at home for coming to the Commission and telling the truth.

“I am also afraid I might be getting another one Monday or they might come to my house over the weekend and give me another one. What have I done by me coming here?”

Adv Sello clarifies that the statement implying ORS members were involved in the operation is factually incorrect.

“And perhaps I should clarify to General Senona and his team that the statement as couched creates an impression that the operation involved ORS members. And I am saying from the evidence tendered before this Commission, that is factually incorrect.”

Maj-Gen Senona did not personally attend the scene nor participate in operational handling or processing of 41 kg seizure, limited to oversight and administrative decisions.

“My involvement was limited to oversight and administrative decisions after being briefed by Operational Commanders.”

Senona is aware of the SAPS protocol on Search, Seizure, Handling, Processing and Disposition of Illegal Drugs, a document he partially knows from prior experience and training, but was office-bound from 2011 and not attending crime scenes.

“I have seen this document when I was here in January. Part of it, I am aware of the content, part of the content, but not the entire document. ... I attended the detective course when I was appointed as a Detective in 1989. ... I was office-bound since 2011. Being a manager, overseeing things, not attending to crime scenes or dealing with certain things.”

General Senona expressed in a report to General Mosikili awareness that there were failings in how the scene was managed, implying he is aware of the applicable prescripts and non-compliance.

“I depart from the premise that he is aware of the prescripts, applicable prescripts, as to how the scene should be managed, and that there were failings in that regard. ... He expressed himself in the manner that he did in his report to General Mosikili about the handling of the scene.”

There is uncertainty if General Senona is aware at all times of non-compliance related to the seizure and storage of drugs and related property as per National Instruction 2017.

“He was not, hence he expressed himself in the manner that he did in his report to General Mosikili. So it is in the now.”

General Senona claims he is facing significant personal and professional difficulty as a consequence of testifying before the Commission, including suspension and litigation related to a drug theft case.

“I a m g o i n g t h r o u g h , f o r l a c k o f a b e t t e r w o r d , a n d a p o l o g i e s u p f r o n t , I a m g o i n g t h r o u g h h e l l b e c a u s e o f m e c o m i n g h e r e a n d t e s t i f y i n g . T h a t i s a p o s s i b i l i t y. Th e l a s t t i m e I r a i s e d i s s u e s o f s a f e t y, a d e c i s i o n w a s g i v e n f o r m e t o r e a d p e o p l e ' s n a m e s . I a m h a v i n g l i t i g a t i o n n o w. O v e r a n d a b o v e t h a t , I w a s s u s p e n d e d a n d s a y e v i d e n c e w a s g i v e n u n d e r o a t h b e f o r e t h e C o m m i s s i o n . C u r r e n t l y, t h e o t h e r o n e , I h a v e a n e w o n e t h a t I r e c e i v e d a f t e r w h e n I a p p e a r e d h e r e o n t h e 1 s t . Th e y s a y I a m b e i n g c h a r g e d b e c a u s e o f t h e s t o r a g e a n d t h e f t o f t h e d r u g s . I t e s t i f i e d i n J a n u a r y . I s it n o t o n e a n d t h e s a m e t h i n g ? I s s o m e b o d y n o t a b u s i n g h i s p o w e r s t o t r y ? I d o n o t20 k n o w w h a v e I d o n e t o t h e s e p e o p l e . B u t I w a n t t o a s s i s t t h e C o m m i s s i o n . T h a t i s w h y I c a m e b a c k .”

General Senona made an administrative decision to let detective services investigate a theft case and to let the district handle the investigation with assistance as needed from Head Office DPCI.

“... G e n e r a l S e n o n a m a d e a d e c i s i o n t h a t t h e D e t e c t i v e S e r v i c e s m u s t i n v e s t i g a t e t h i s c a s e . Y o u c a n n o t b e a v i c t i m a n d t h e n a t t h e s a m e t i m e y o u i n v e s t i g a t e y o u r o w n , y o u r s e l f . A n d f o r s o m e o t h e r r e a s o n s , H e a d O f f i c e d e c i d e d t o e s t a b l i s h a t e a m a n d t o o k t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n f r o m G e n e r a l D e t e c t i v e t o H e a d O f f i c e D P C I . M e , I t o o k a d e c i s i o n t h a t l e t t h e d i s t r i c t d o t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n . S h o u l d t h e y n e e d a n y a s s i s t a n c e , w e s h a l l a s s i s t .”

Maj-Gen Senona was informed by operational members that SAPS Isipingo did not have adequate storage facilities for seized drugs, and similarly the KZN FSL laboratory lacked adequate facilities.

“you were informed by operational members that SAPS Isipingo did not have adequate storage facilities and the last paragraph before the next question that you were informed that KZN FSL laboratory also lacked adequate facilities”

Maj-Gen Senona was not aware of facilities in and around the area including Maydon Wharf Police Station, Umbilo, and others for storing drugs before shipment.

“I was not aware. Brigadier Nyuswa just came and briefed and suggested to me, and I have already responded to this question”

Maj-Gen Senona admitted he did not know where Maydon Wharf was and was not oriented about KwaZulu-Natal, thus was unfamiliar with facilities and police stations in the area relevant to his duties as DPCI head KZN between August 2020 and June 2022.

“I do not know where is Maydon Wharf. You say Maydon Wharf or Wadean Wharf, I do not know... since August 2020 when you took office until June 2022, you did not acquaint yourself with the environment and the facilities and the police stations you may have to work with... I was not even orientated about KwaZulu-Natal”

Maj-Gen Senona visited his offices and limited other specified offices and met his people but was not taken around police stations nor forced to do so by his job.

“I visited my offices. I visited Newcastle. I am having an office of SOCI in Newcastle... I visited my offices in Richards Bay... I visited a SOCI office in Pietermaritzburg... I visited my offices at Durban Organised Crime where SOCI is SOCI at 136... I visited the Serious Corruption in a Commercial City Building... But police stations, no. It is the Provincial Commissioner who is in charge of the police station, not me... I have listed my offices that I visited that I have authority over”

Maj-Gen Senona said after a theft of drugs, all members were able to house the drugs in various offices for the busts made, and that normally a person in his position would not know about such matters in a very short time.

“After the theft, everybody was able to house the drugs, the busts that we have made, in that document that the SC is referring to... Under normal circumstances, a person in my position will never know those things in a very short space of time”

Maj-Gen Senona admitted he did not know the police stations and storage facilities where seized drugs must be booked into SAP 13s and that as DPCI head KZN he is not responsible for police stations—this is the Provincial Commissioner's responsibility.

“I know where they are, I can take you. But police stations, no. It is the Provincial Commissioner who is in charge of the police station, not me... I know nothing about police stations and such storage facilities”

ADV Sello suggests that Maj-Gen Senona ought to be acquainted with whether there are sufficient facilities at police stations for seized heroin and cocaine and that he is not aware of such facilities.

“I would have thought that is a matter that would interest you... based on S2 and the volume of Heroin and Cocaine you seize, that you would at least acquaint yourself with whether or not there are sufficient facilities... But from what you say, you know nothing about police stations and such storage facilities”

Maj-Gen Senona states he was charged, investigated, and suspended for the handling of the crime scene and theft regarding these drugs, despite no evidence of wrongdoing on his part.

“I am now charged, investigated, and suspended, because these things were not, the handling of the crime scene and the theft, the storage and the theft.”

After seizure of 14 bags of dagga by Maj-Gen Senona's office at Richards Bay, nine bags went missing after being booked into SAP 13 police station and samples were needed for forensic testing.

“My office at Richards Bay went and seized 14 bags, big bags of Dagga... after a week, when they went there to take samples to send to forensic, nine of the bags were missing. A docket was opened.”

Maj-Gen Senona states that the alarm was armed at Port Shepstone but was not linked to security company notification to the Unit Commander, meaning the commander would not automatically know of emergencies via the alarm.

“The alarm was armed, although it was not linked to the security company... the Unit Commander's phone must also be linked so that once something happens... he must also get a notification... it happened with me while I was still a Unit Commander.”

Members secured the back security door of the office with chain and padlock and made an OB entry, then activated the alarm and locked the office.

“The members then left and Warrant Officer VandenBerg secured the back security door by the kitchen with chain and padlock and he made an OB entry. We then activated the alarm and locked the office.”

MAJ-GEN SENONA limited response on the SAP 13 register to the Isipingo SAP 13 and did not address storage facilities at Port Shepstone in that context, despite questions about it.

“your response to the Commission in 29 January ‘26 confined itself to the Isipingo SAP 13 ... I want to go beyond that ... because I want to confine my question to the Port Shepstone storage”

MAJ-GEN SENONA testified that drugs were seized at Isipingo police station and that Isipingo members booked the exhibits at SAPS Isipingo, but Isipingo did not have storage facilities; seizure could be recorded in SAP 13.

“there were drugs seized there ... it is a police station called Isipingo ... members went to Isipingo to book the exhibits ... members that Isipingo said they do not have storage facility but seizure can be written into the SAP 13”

MAJ-GEN SENONA confirmed in evidence he confined himself to SAPS Isipingo when responding to a question but did not answer whether other suitable storage facilities were available for seized drugs, as required by Regulation 10(6).

“you confined the answer only to the Isipingo SAP 13 ... that question you do not answer ... about other suitable facilities ... in Regulation 10(6)”

MAJ-GEN SENONA said he responded to the question about other storage facilities but could not produce written evidence of that response.

“I responded here, now, two minutes ago ... I did not written it, but I responded”

MAJ-GEN SENONA testified he went to Port Shepstone to check the strongroom where drugs were stored after the seizure, it was the first time he saw those safes.

“I went there at Port Shepstone when the drugs were stored there ... it was the first time I saw those safes there”

MAJ-GEN SENONA and Brigadier Nyuswa drove first to Isipingo then diverted to Port Shepstone after a phone call and never reached Isipingo on the day of the seizure.

“We never reached Isipingo ... he was talking on the phone and then we diverted to Port Shepstone”

MAJ-GEN SENONA went to Port Shepstone to satisfy himself about the strongroom facilities and inspect them, introducing himself to members present.

“the purpose for me to go to Port Shepstone was to also satisfy myself about the strongroom ... I was addressing the members, introducing myself”

General Senona instructed members during a meet and greet in Port Shepstone to visit between 8:00 and 00:00 and gave specific instructions about safeguarding dockets and properties.

“during your meet and greet visit at Port Shepstone, you instructed them to visit between 8:00 and 00:00... during the meet and greet, I informed them... that it is important that we must safeguard our own dockets and properties as the members”

General Senona managed safety of seized drugs by taking the keys and placing them in his safe at the office and instructing the Unit Commander to ensure members visited the offices at intervals.

“you stated paragraph 2 that you manage the safety of the drugs by taking the keys and placing them in your safe at the office and requesting and instructing the Unit Commander to ensure members visit the offices at intervals”

General Senona did not think it necessary to deploy additional manpower or patrol units to guard the offices after the seizure because he relied on Colonel Prinsloo to indicate if additional security was needed.

“The directive I gave for the visit, at that stage for me it was sufficient enough unless if Colonel Prinsloo indicated that he needed additional, I would have done that. But he never, there was no stage where he requested additional manpower”

General Senona stated the narrative that someone opened a safe with a key and then ground it open is insane, stressing that the keys were in his possession and there was no staging or tampering.

“That narrative is very much insane... some without description will do that if it is easy for you to open with a door, with a key... the key was used and then thereafter the cutting... There is no staging, Commissioners”

General Senona asserts that if he had the keys, he could have used them to open and take the suspected cocaine without cutting the safe, questioning why the safe was cut twice.

“if you had the keys, could use them to open, why not just open and take the suspected cocaine without cutting?”

General Senona confirms that a safe was cut twice from outside and rejects insinuations that the key was used to stage the event, explaining that cutting twice posed a high risk and made loud noise that would invite detection.

“I am trying to put this on record before the Commissioners... the safe was cut twice and the safe was cut from outside... that narrative is very much offensive to suggest because the keys were in my possession, then a key was used and then thereafter the cutting... The risk being arrested or being attacked by the police... the sound of a grinder, it makes a lot of noise... There is no staging”

People who stole drugs are known and should have been arrested.

“people who stole the drugs are known ... I will be happy if they are being arrested”

MAJ-GEN SENONA was not previously aware that the DPCI with the approval of the Head can store exhibits at a designated facility, but acknowledges it after seeing the National Instruction document.

“I was not aware ... I am seeing it and then I am taking note of it”

MAJ-GEN SENONA admitted to previously responding to a question about the National Instruction during the January testimony but could not fully recall his response now.

“I cannot recollect 100% how I responded to that question ... I am taking note of it”

MAJ-GEN SENONA confirmed he sent a report to General Mosikili about the theft of drugs.

“Correct, Commissioner. [re General Mosikili report]”

There was an investigation at national level with a report recommending certain people be charged; MAJ-GEN SENONA acknowledged the report but was not aware of it before.

“there was an investigation at national level and there was a report with a recommendation that certain people be charged ... I saw that report through the Commission. I was not aware”

MAJ-GEN SENONA is not sure if he had seen the report referring to National Instructions before testifying in January.

“I am not 100% sure if I have seen it before I testified”

MAJ-GEN SENONA says it is an unfair assumption that given his position he would be familiar with all National Instructions, explaining that it is unreasonable to know everything and read everything, even for a lawyer.

“It is an unfair assumption ... I cannot know everything and will not be able to read everything”

Maj-Gen Senona oversees a system called PIMER (Performance Impact Management Evaluation Report) where monthly presentations and compliance checks are conducted at various police sections, and if targets are not reached, Brigadiers are instructed to develop turnaround plans.

“We have a system that is called PIMER, Performance Impact Management Evaluation Report. And then every month, every section will do a presentation of their achievement and then we check vis-à-vis the target. And then if a target is not reached, I will advise the Brigadier responsible and say, go back to your members. Sit down with them. Come up with what I was calling a turnaround plan...”

Major-General Senona did not observe that the prescribed procedure for bagging exhibits was being complied with on the day in question, he became aware the following day that the prescriptions were not followed.

“I t n e v e r c r o s s e d m y m i n d t h a t t h e y w e r e n e v e r d o n e . I t w a s a f t e r t h e f a c t .”

Major-General Senona did not personally take any action against officers for not following prescriptions but expected his deputy to do so, and admits his mistake was not to follow up on his deputy's actions.

“I d i d n o t p e r s o n a l l y t a k e a n y a c t i o n . ... I f t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r w a n t s m e t o a n s w e r i n a y e s o r n o , I w i l l s a y I d i d n o t t a k e a c t i o n . ... H e n c e , m y d e p u t y w a s a w a r e . I e x p e c t e d h i m t o t a k e a c t i o n . ... M y m i s t a k e w a s n o t t o m a k e a f o l l o w - u p i f h e d i d t a k e t h e a c t i o n .”

Major-General Senona states the issue of non-compliance regarding storage and theft is HR related and he is under disciplinary investigation so he cannot respond.

“I t i s a n H R r e l a t e d t h i n g a n d I h a v e b e e n s e r v e d w i t h a n o t i c e o f i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e s t o r a g e a n d t h e f t , C o m m i s s i o n e r s . I a m s o r r y. I a m s o r r y. I a m u n a b l e t o a n s w e r t h a t q u e s t i o n .”

Major-General Senona as the Head of DPCI did not designate or approve Port Shepstone offices to maintain an SAP 13 register as required by national instruction paragraph 12(1).

“y o u a s t h e H e a d D P C I d i d n o t d e s i g n a t e o r a p p r o v e t h e P o r t S h e p s t o n e o ff i c e s t o m a i n t a i n a n S A P 1 3 r e g i s t e r. Yo u d i d n o t t a k e t h e s t e p s c o n t e m p l a t e d i n 1 2 ( 1 ) . Yo u h a v e n e v e r d o n e t h a t .”

Major-General Senona said he agreed to the storage of exhibits at Port Shepstone based on Brigadier's recommendation but he never had discussions with Brigadier Nyuswa about whether Port Shepstone was appropriately designated to maintain SAP 13 register per paragraph 12(1).

“I a g r e e d b a s e d o n t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n b y t h e B r i g a d i e r f o r t h i s e x h i b i t t o b e s t o r e d t h e r e . ... I t n e v e r a r i s e d ...”

Major-General Senona denies approving the Port Shepstone offices for maintaining an SAP 13 property register and claims not to be aware if the National Head approved it.

“N o , I d i d n o t . ... I a m n o t a w a r e .”

Major-General Senona claims it is the responsibility of the Unit Commander, e.g. Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo, to appoint an SAP 13 clerk for managing exhibit registers at DPCI offices, but he was not privy to all national instructions related to this.

“A s f a r a s I c a n r e c o l l e c t ... I t h i n k C o l o n e l P r i n s l o o ’s e v i d e n c e , h e s a i d h e a p p o i n t e d t h i s o n e t o h a v e c a s e a n d d e a l w i t h t h e s t o r a g e o f t h i n g s i n t h e s a f e . ... A s f a r a s I k n o w, t h e U n i t C o m m a n d e r c a n a p p o i n t a S A P 1 3 C l e r k ...”

The National Instruction paragraph being read does not correlate with the knowledge of Maj-Gen Senona, and he does not have a prescript to refer to on this matter.

“according to my understanding, the Unit Commander can, but I see this National Instruction in the paragraph that you are reading, that they do not correlate, but that is as far as I know. I do not even have a prescript that I can refer to, but it was just knowledge.”

Maj-Gen Senona confirms familiarity with the requirement to record exhibits in SAP13 where the crime was committed and then transfer them to the relevant unit's SAP13 register.

“You are familiar with that ... Correct. Yes, Commissioner.”

During the storage of the drugs in Maj-Gen Senona's presence, there was no compliance with entering them into SAP13 as required by paragraph 12(2).

“Now, during the storage of these drugs and in your presence, there was no compliance with that, that they be entered into SAP13.”

When the exhibits were seized, they were booked at Isipingo police station and booked out immediately, which Maj-Gen Senona considers compliance with the SAP13 requirements at the relevant police station.

“When the exhibits were seized, they were booked at Isipingo. They were booked at Isipingo and booked out immediately. So, for me, that is compliance at the relevant police station.”

Maj-Gen Senona expresses inability to answer questions relating to the non-compliance observed during storage of drugs and its flouting of the prescript in his presence.

“I am unable to answer that. Correct, Commissioner. ... I do not want to respond too much here, as a result of these investigations that I am being bombarded with. Because they use this commission to bring me disciplinary cases.”

Maj-Gen Senona says a general as head can be asked about specific operational details like opening keys, but as a manager he relies on his people and cannot know every detail.

“The General is saying that he takes responsibility as the Head, but he can be asked about, did this one open this key or whatever, at that level. If you are a manager, you rely on people. It does not mean if you are a CEO, you must know what is happening in the technology department, in the accounting department, and this and this, at the level of that detail.”

General Senona accepts all concessions made regarding seizure of drugs at the harbour on the basis that he was not present and cannot comment on what happened there.

“A suggestion was made that the General accepts every concession made by those who were responsible for that seizure, and I needed to clarify that with the General and he so confirmed. I accepted that on the basis that he was not present. He cannot comment on what went down.”

General Senona was present at Port Shepstone and was aware of instances where prescriptions were flouted, but failed to act adequately when these floutings occurred.

“It is about his presence at Port Shepstone, his approvals, maybe not approvals, but his failure to act when prescriptions are flouted. That he can respond to.”

The Commission Act compels witnesses to respond to every question unless they invoke legal privilege; Mr Mpofu's attempt to prevent certain questions based on self-incrimination is not supported by the Act's provisions.

“The Act specifically protects a witness from answering where he invokes legal privilege. And I submit that in the absence of legal privilege, then the witness must answer. ... Some questions should not be put at all because they may self-incriminate, but we do not know which questions will self-incriminate... The witness must go on record and invoke the privilege not to self-incriminate.”

Mr Mpofu attempted to prevent certain questions being asked to General Senona to avoid self-incrimination, which counsel Sello opposed to preserve fact-finding inquiry.

“He must be patient enough for the Commission to go through the questions and the witness will respond accordingly. We have had a case where a witness ... spent almost the entire half a morning refusing to answer on the basis of self-incrimination ... And that was accepted. ... Now, it cannot just ...”

Privilege in terms of the Act allows protection against self-incrimination but does not protect General Senona from potential disciplinary proceedings based on answers given in the inquiry.

“privilege in terms of the Act allows protection against self-incrimination but does not protect General Senona from disciplinary proceedings”

Mr Mpofu stated that the Commission is not gagging or stopping questions, but is contextualizing reasons why General Senona is uncomfortable answering certain questions.

“This thing is going out of control. This is simple intervention. I do not know about gagging or stopping questions, whatever. Where that happened is not in my imagination. There is no question that we are gagging. All I said to provoke all of this past hour is I want to put into perspective the reasons why he is uncomfortable with answering certain questions, which I had understood, and I accepted Commissioner Baloyi's summation of that...”

There were threats made to the General relating to criminal prosecutions that could lead to either jail or losing his job if he did not comply.

“if the choices or the threats that are being made to the General leave him with this choice of either going to jail or losing his job”

The witness has been candid with the Commission but will indicate when uncomfortable due to fear of repercussions from criminal prosecutions related to allegations of criminality.

“he has been so candid with this Commission the whole day, to suggest that he now is evading or being shielded or whatever, that he will answer questions, but wherever he is uncomfortable because of the fear of those other repercussions, he will indicate so”

One of the individuals fingered for criminal investigation in the first report of the Commission was General Senona.

“one of the people who was supposed to be fingered for criminal investigation was listed, and that was General Senona”

General Senona admitted that he did not take steps to ensure compliance with SAP 13 property register requirements while present at Port Shepstone.

“I said I did not take steps. That is my response, Commissioners”

General Senona stated that the failure to take steps to ensure compliance with SAP 13 was a mistake.

“It was a mistake that I have done, Commissioners”

General Senona took charge of the keys to the safe where exhibits were locked in the Port Shepstone offices, keeping them in his office.

“after they were locked into the safe at the Port Shepstone offices, you took charge of the keys to the safe . They were with you, and you kept them at your safe in your office”

General Senona confirmed the collection of the keys on the 23rd and 24th of June 2021.

“you wanted to refer to the times that the keys were collected from you on the 23rd and on the 24th of June 2021”

General Senona indicated there was no suspicion of wrongdoing against the investigating officer when he handed over the keys for investigation at Port Shepstone.

“there was no suspicion of any wrongdoing that I have picked up against the investigating officer at that stage”

General Senona is not aware of any requirement for safe visitors to complete an OB entry countersigned by the person responsible for safe keeping of drugs.

“I am not aware of such, Commissioners”

General Senona does not know what actually transpired when the safe was opened on the 23rd and the 24th, only what was relayed to him by the person to whom he gave the keys.

“Whatever you know is what was relayed to you by the person to whom you gave the keys. You have got no other independent objective means of verifying what exactly went down on the 3rd and the 24th when you had parted company with the keys”

The speaker and their office did not consider moving the drugs in the absence of obtaining the section 212 affidavit following the break-in.

“in the absence of obtaining that section 212 affidavit, you did not consider perhaps moving the drugs in the meantime? ... It never crossed my mind”

General Lebeya never contacted or engaged the speaker regarding disciplinary issues arising from the break-in investigation.

“General Lebeya never spoke to me with regard to that ... Never communicated with you at all?”

Maj-Gen Senona took custody of keys for exhibits because 541kg of suspected cocaine was stored at DPCI offices, not a police station, which he considered a different situation than usual exhibit custody.

“It is because the 541kg of suspected cocaine was stored there. And if I did not take possession of the keys”

Adv Baloyi SC challenges Maj-Gen Senona's assertion and says exhibits are typical and registered in a SAP13 register at the police station, questioning why the key was taken for this case.

“I do not see how this is different from any other exhibits ... So why do you say this was different?”

Maj-Gen Senona affirms his decision to take the keys was because the exhibits were stored at the DPCI offices, not at a police station, making it a different process.

“I think we stored the drugs at the DPCI offices. If they were stored at the police station, I would not have taken the keys.”

Maj-Gen Senona admits it was an oversight not to include Brigadier Nyuswa in the list of officers who underwent polygraph tests, despite Nyuswa being a direct supervisor of those tested.

“I must say it was an oversight on my side because he is the one who gave me the name list of the people and I never realised he is not part of it.”

There were two lists signed and sent for applications involving polygraph tests, but the outcome and who passed or failed were not communicated to Maj-General Senona.

“there were two lists that I have signed and sent for the application, but I did not know the outcome of the polygraph test. Who passed, who did not pass, it was never brought under my attention.”

In October, after a break-in, Maj-General Senona indicated that the investigation must be expedited because the break-in involved homeless people accessing the kitchen window stone used to access the safe.

“in October when the break-in happens ... this investigation must be expedited. The reason was that ... it was homeless people. It is a stone that was utilised on the kitchen window ... there was no access gained ... No, there was no access gained, Commissioner.”

Maj-General Senona did not micromanage senior officers and gave them independence in their sections.

“I believe that I gave them a leeway of a bit independence in their sections because you cannot micromanage your senior managers. These Brigadiers ... and one Colonel. So you cannot micromanage these people.”

Maj-General Senona denies stealing the drugs and asserts he did not participate directly or indirectly in the theft of the drugs stored in the safe.

“because now the people of the country believe I stole the drugs, and I did not, and I did not participate directly or indirectly in the theft of these drugs.”

Maj-General Senona claims it is insane that a person could stage a theft involving opening a safe with a key and grinding inside the safe, emphasizing the physical evidence at the crime scene undermining the staging theory.

“I still stand by my point that it is insane ... when you look at that door ... the cutting is from outside ... I never staged this thing ... hardened criminals came and stole this Cocaine ... They grinded this thing there on top ... look at the floor ... mechanism that was there, the locking mechanism ... you cannot stage a thing and come and open ... when he tells you this thing cannot be breached ... This safe ...”

General Senona and Commissioner Baloyi differ in their understandings about the booking in and out of certain items at Port Shepstone SAP 13; however, the register shows the items were correctly booked in and out.

“General Senona had said ... they were booked into Port Shepstone SAP 13 and booked out, and Commissioner Baloyi had a different understanding. ... it is all the bags taken for investigation and signed by Warrant Officer Mpangase ... your understanding was correct that they were also booked in and booked out in the Port Shepstone SAP 13 register.”

Mr Nku's testimony was scheduled to be postponed to allow sufficient time for his evidence due to its expected length and other scheduling constraints including General Senona's testimony.

“The Evidence Leaders considered the scheduling as well as the fact that Mr Nku's evidence is likely to take more than one day... the Evidence Leaders deemed it fit to reschedule him to next week where sufficient time for his complete testimony can take place... the evidence of General Senona is scheduled to take place tomorrow, and that evidence cannot be moved.”

In August 2020, Major General Senona was appointed Provincial Head of DPCI KZN, at the same time as the speaker's permanent appointment as Provincial Commander of SOCI.

“Major General Senona was appointed the Provincial Head of DPCI KZN in August 2020, the same month as my permanent appointment as Provincial Commander, SOCI”

General Senona instructed each Provincial Commander to present a workload report including cases and personnel, which took approximately three months.

“When General Senona arrived on the [sic] August 2020, he instructed each Provincial Commander to present a report of their current workload, which included cases the section was currently investigating and personnel. This was a time-consuming exercise which took approximately three months”

General Senona would make decisions without consultation and expected full compliance, even if this impacted the work of section commanders.

“General Senona was not someone who could consult when he made decisions. He will make the decision and expect everyone to fall in line, even if the decision had an impact on the working of your section as a Commander”

General Senona moved members around as part of his alignment of the DPCI KZN, including transferring a Colonel from the speaker's section to Priority Crime Specialized Investigation without consulting the speaker.

“One such instance was when he moved members around as part of his alignment of the DPCI KZN. Another example was when he moved a Colonel from my section in 2022 or 2023. This Colonel was appointed as my Section Coordinator... General Senona transferred the Colonel to Priority Crime Specialized Investigation, PCSI, Asset Forfeiture Investigations, AFI. He was moved without consulting me.”

General Senona's moves resulted in the SOCI section having no Colonel and required the speaker to find a new coordinator, ending up with a Lieutenant Colonel who needed training.

“PCSI already had a Colonel in charge of that section, which meant that the section now had two Colonels and I had none. I had to find another coordinator. I ended up with a Lieutenant Colonel who had to be trained for the position”

There is an incorrect perception that the speaker is General Senona's 'guy'; the speaker denies any dealings with General Senona prior to August 2020 and says their relationship has been strictly professional and hierarchical.

“There is an incorrect perception that I am General Senona's “guy” ... However, I had no dealings with General Senona prior to August 2020. ... When he was appointed the Provincial Head, our relationship was strictly that of a senior and a junior colleague. I had never been to his home, and he has never been to mine. I have never socialized with him outside work”

General Senona invited the DPCI management to his father's unveiling ceremony in 2021 in Pretoria, which the speaker attended along with Brigadier Kgama and other SAPS members.

“I do recall that he invited the DPCI management to his father's unveiling ceremony in 2021 in Pretoria, which I attended as I was in Gauteng that weekend. Brigadier Kgama also attended the unveiling, as did other SAPS members”

In 2024, General Senona attended the speaker's father's funeral in KwaZulu-Natal with KZN DPCI management and members.

“In 2024, General Senona attended my father's funeral in KZN, together with KZN DPCI management and members”

The three Section Heads were stationed at the provincial office, the head office of the Hawks in KZN, when General Senona was appointed Provincial Head.

“When General Senona was appointed, all three Section Heads were stationed at the provincial office, which is the head office of the Hawks in KZN”

General Senona felt Brigadiers Mbatha and Kgama were undermining him and that the speaker was the more respectful of the three brigadiers, possibly due to the speaker's respect for him and the other two being shortlisted for the provincial head post.

“I got the sense that General Senona felt that Brigadier Mbatha and Kgama were undermining him and that I was the more respectful of the three. I think this is because of the two Brigadiers who were shortlisted for his post”

Brigadier Kgama did not attend his farewell function in 2023 due to a possibly strained relationship with General Senona.

“In 2023, when Brigadier Kgama retired, he did not attend his farewell function. And it was said, although I do not know for a fact, that the reason for his non-attendance was the strained relationship with General Senona”

In 2023 and 2024, replacements for retired Provincial Commanders were stationed elsewhere by General Senona, but the speaker remained at the provincial office, which may have created the incorrect impression that the speaker was close to General Senona.

“However, in 2023 and 2024, when the other Brigadiers retired and replaced as Provincial Commanders, General Senona stationed those Provincial Commanders elsewhere and I remained at provincial office. This may have also created the impression that I was close to General Senona”

General Senona did not have much regard for the speaker but the speaker was respectful to him as senior.

“General Senona did not have much regard for me, but I was respectful to him as my senior”

General Senona felt he could bypass the speaker and give instructions directly to the speaker's members without informing the speaker.

“As the Provincial Head, he felt that he could bypass me and give instructions directly to my members without informing me”

The investigation team on the kidnapping reported directly to General Senona, bypassing usual reporting lines.

“the team was reporting direct to the General Senona”

General Senona, Lieutenant Colonel Govender, and other members were charged with misconduct related to the kidnapping investigation and disciplinary proceedings are ongoing.

“General Senona, Lieutenant Colonel Govender, other members, and I were charged for misconduct, and disciplinary proceedings are not yet finalized.”

General Senona instructed preparation of a strong room safe at Port Shepstone for storing exhibits and arranged escort from Isipingo to Port Shepstone DPCI, SOCI.

“I called General Senona and informed him of the dilemma and suggested a strong room at Port Shepstone premises. He agreed and instructed me to instruct the Acting Unit Commander at Port Shepstone, Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo, to prepare the safe for the exhibit... General Senona also instructed me to arrange for the provincial tracking team to escort the investigators from Isipingo to Port Shepstone DPCI, SOCI.”

The strong room was locked, and General Senona requested both original and spare keys, which Warrant Officer Mpangase gave to him in the witness's presence.

“The strong room was locked and General Senona asked that both set of keys, original and spare keys, be given to him. Warrant Officer Mpangase gave both set of keys to General Senona in my presence.”

General Senona instructed that Warrant Officer Mpangase would take samples of the exhibit in the strong room.

“General Senona called me and told me to inform Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo that Warrant Officer Mpangase would be going to the strong room to take samples of the exhibit.”

The witness had little involvement in other cases at the time and was working closely with the CATS team during civil unrest investigations in mid-2021, reporting daily progress to General Senona and working closely with the Director of Public Prosecution.

“In July 2021, my vacation leave was cut short by the widespread civil unrest. General Senona informed me that General Lebea wanted me to come back to deal with the civil unrest, which I did, given my experience in CATS. I headed the CATS team tasked with identifying the instigators of crime and working closely with the Director of Public Prosecution office. I would give General Senona a regular progress report... I was working with the CATS team on a daily basis. I had very little involvement in other cases at this time.”

Earlier, the witness was not concerned about the security of the building or safes where exhibits were stored because General Senona had the keys and the safe could not be breached without detection.

“Although I was too concerned, I thought the drugs will be safe because General Senona had the keys, and the safe could not be breached, and certainly not without being detected.”

General Senona had the keys to the safe and the safe could not be breached without being detected.

“General Senona had the keys, and the safe could not be breached and certainly not without being detected”

General Senona took issue that Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo did not mention a meeting during his testimony at the Commission.

“General Senona took issue with the fact that Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo did not mention this meeting during his testimony at the Commission”

General Senona suspects a connection between a meeting held few days before a theft and the theft itself.

“General Senona is suggesting that there is some connection to the theft, given that the meeting occurred a few days before the theft”

General Senona requested that all his subordinates be subjected to a polygraph test, but Brigadier Nyuswa was not aware he was included in such a request.

“General Senona's evidence on the polygraph test is that he requested that all his subordinates be subjected to a polygraph test. You would have been one of those. That is correct. Did you ever become aware that he made that kind of a general request which would have included you? No, Commissioners.”

Warrant Officer Sander was moved from SANEB to Supply Chain Management in February 2024 without consulting Brigadier Nyuswa, who was surprised by this action.

“I was present in the meeting when General Senona informed him of the allegations together with other officials. I was on leave at the time and I was not present at that meeting...I was surprised when I returned from the leave to find that Warrant Officer Sander had been moved to Support Services at the provincial office. General Senona did not consult me on this.”

A complaint regarding Warrant Officer Sander was received and needed investigation; General Lebeya sent the complaint to General Senona instructing him to investigate and report back by 23 February 2024. General Senona assigned Lieutenant Colonel Mjlalito for investigation.

“The complaint was sent to General Lebeya, who sent the email to General Senona with the instruction to reach out to the complainant, investigate the matter and report back on the progress by the 23rd of February 2024. I am aware that General Senona assigned the complaint to Lieutenant Colonel Mjlalito investigate. I will receive progress reports, consider same and submit to General Senona.”

Brigadier Nyuswa was not present when Warrant Officer Sander and others were discussed in a meeting, contrary to Warrant Officer Sander's evidence and diary confirmation.

“I was present in the meeting when General Senona informed him of the allegations together with other officials. I was on leave at the time and I was not present at that meeting. I have been informed by the Commission that Warrant Officer Sander has since looked at his diary entry of the day and confirmed that I was not present at the meeting.”

Brigadier Nyuswa confirms that on 23 June he was told by General Senona to inform Colonel Prinsloo that Mpangase would be going to the Strong Room to take samples of the exhibits.

“On the 23rd. Yes, the very next day.”

Brigadier Nyuswa confirms General Senona told him he must go oversee the operation and that he was on his way to Isipingo police station.

“When General Senona says to you that you must go oversee the operation, you are on your way to Isipingo police station”

Brigadier Nyuswa went to Isipingo with General Senona on instruction but did not know why General Senona wanted to go to Isipingo.

“Yes ... I cannot say, but also I did not question”

Members compile a WhatsApp report for successes or incidences and send it to Brigadier Nyuswa who forwards it to management and then to General Senona.

“The procedure is when there is successes or incidences, you compile a report. And the Unit Commander will send it to me. I will send it to the management group of the DPCI. And the General will read it. If he is happy with it, he will then send it to the DPCI management group.”

Brigadier Nyuswa and Supply Chain management at the provincial office were actively reporting directly to General Senona about procuring enhanced security measures at Port Shepstone due to existing security issues.

“We were busy with the Supply Chain to get the proper security for the same office... Supply Chain management at provincial office and myself... were reporting directly to General Senona... At Port Shepstone... even before I assumed the position in 2020... there were problems with the security at Port Shepstone.”

Brigadier Nyuswa confirms Supply Chain management reported directly to General Senona and he also reported to General Senona about procuring enhanced security measures at Port Shepstone during the period including 2018 to 2020.

“They were reporting directly to General Senona... During that period, because this date back from 2018, even before I assumed the position in 2020, there were problems with the security at Port Shepstone.”

General Senona was involved in signing off the form 585 for the security application as part of the committee, though Brigadier Nyuswa cannot recall if he actually signed it.

“The 585 form need to be signed...The committee would sit and then we all signed...Yes, he would have signed, but I cannot recall if that happened.”

Brigadier Nyuswa was the main person reporting to General Senona about enhanced security efforts at Port Shepstone, with Captain van Niekerk from Supply Chain Management also involved in reporting.

“nobody...Oh, ja, yes, yes...It was Captain van Niekerk.”

General Senona could have rejected the suggestion to base the unit at Port Shepstone if he had alternative locations, but Brigadier Nyuswa did not provide any alternative suggestions.

“If he had other alternatives, so we both did not have...No, I hear that. It was because previously you have stored drugs there with no problems...”

Brigadier Nyuswa travelled with General Senona from Durban provincial office to Isipingo and later to Port Shepstone on the same day.

“You and General Senona were travelling together that day...That is correct...From our provincial office...Which is in Durban.”

General Senona requested both the original and the spare set of keys to the safe, the spare being a safety precaution since a key was not available locally

“The SAP 13 clerk would ordinarily keep the original. What happens with the spare key ? I think it was for safe safety precaution that he does not have a key in Durban and someone also on the other side has got a key.”

General Senona took the keys and effectively became the exhibits clerk, replacing the usual exhibits clerk at Port Shepstone DPCI.

“And so by taking the keys, General Senona effectively became the exhibits clerk, too, took the place of the exhibits clerk? Yes.”

General Senona instructed Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo to increase patrols and visit the office regularly for security after the exhibits were packed and left.

“General Senona told Lieutenant Colonel Prinsloo that they must increase patrol and visit the office regularly.”

Brigadier Nyuswa reported an attempted break-in to General Senona, who is the Provincial Head.

“I did report to him.”

General Senona's statement about the theft investigation does not mention being informed about the attempted break-in.

“He does not mention that you had informed him about the attempted break-in in October 2021.”

Brigadier Nyuswa informed General Senona about the attempted break-in and that he told Jacob to speed up the investigation.

“I informed him and I told him what I told Jacob.”

General Senona accepted Brigadier Nyuswa's explanation about informing Jacob to speed up the investigation.

“He accepted that.”

Brigadier Nyuswa reported the attempted break-in to General Senona because he needed to know about the security breaches in the DPCI offices.

“He is a Provincial Head and he needs to know of the security breaches in the DPCI offices.”

Brigadier Nyuswa did not ask General Senona for direction on how to handle the attempted break-in report, only informed him of the situation.

“No, I did not ask him.”

Brigadier Nyuswa expected that General Senona would assist by using his seniority to get the exhibit out of Port Shepstone, but did not ask him directly.

“In my mind, I thought maybe he will make some attempts to also assist to get the exhibit out of Port Shepstone.”

Brigadier Nyuswa acknowledges that he did not ask General Senona directly for direction or intervention after reporting the break-in.

“Yes, I did not ask for direction.”

Brigadier Nyuswa believes General Senona should have assisted him when informed about the security breach, despite Nyuswa not asking for help.

“But as my superior, I would think that when something like this is reported to him, he should assist.”

General Senona told Brigadier Nyuswa that FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) needed additional samples for analysis because earlier samples were flooded.

“Apparently, the samples that were forwarded earlier on, I think they were flooded, but I also think the FSL should have told us using good time, so that that exercise can be done speedily.”

It was widely known within the group that there was suspected cocaine in the safe, implying that the information was not secret and was shared.

“it was widely known, according to him, members knew that there was this suspected Cocaine in the safe there because it did not become a secret. People knew about it.”

There is a possibility that the scene was staged, that the door to the safe was opened using a key, and someone grinded it to simulate a forced entry.

“it is possible that somebody actually did open the safe and the grinding happened, as you suspect, simply to stage the scene”

Brigadier Nyuswa indicated he was reluctant to speculate that General Senona opened the safe or gave someone the key without evidence.

“I am not reluctant. It is just that if I do not have evidence, I cannot say something and say, I do not want to say it is him... I was a bit hesitant as to what exactly transpired.”

Brigadier N Y Swa found it very difficult to voice suspicion or be direct about their concerns regarding General Senona, fearing repercussions.

“Commissioners , it was very difficult for me .”

Brigadier N Y Swa feared expressing suspicion of General Senona because it might put their life in danger.

“If I say this , then people will say I am suspecting someone , then my life is in danger .”

Brigadier N Y Swa said the instruction to take exhibits to Port Shepstone was General Senona's but based on an initial suggestion made by Brigadier N Y Swa.

“you instructed Colonel Prinsloo ... it was General Senona's instruction ... you made a suggestion ... it was then General Senona's instruction that the exhibits be taken there”

Brigadier N Y Swa emphasized the distinction between merely making a suggestion and an instruction coming from General Senona, indicating their continued involvement in the process.

“I said it because when I suggested , he agreed and then it became instruction ... You are merely the purveyor of an instruction from General Senona .”

Brigadier N Y Swa never told General Senona that the safe was unbreachable and could only be opened with a key, even though asked.

“When you suggested to General Senona ... did you mention to him that that safe was unbreachable and could only be opened with a key? ... No, Commissioner. I think I was also asked that question and I never.”

An email from General Lebeya to General Senona dated 5 February 2024 raised concerns of corruption within the police related to Warrant Officer Karl Sanders, alleging his connection to the criminal underworld and cocaine dealing.

“The email ... from General Lebeya ... to General Senona ... subject forward corruption within the police ... allegations against Warrant Officer Karl Sanders ... he is highly connected with the criminal underworld during dealing in Cocaine”

General Lebeya requested General Senona to provide feedback on the corruption complaint by 23 February 2024.

“Your office is kindly requested to further engage the complainant. Kindly provide feedback by the 23rd of February 2024, respectfully.”

General Senona sent a progress report to General Lebeya on 29 February 2024 apologizing for delay and forwarding the complainant's details.

“General Senona responds ... 'Please find the attached progress for your attention. This office apologises for the delay.'”

By 13 February 2024, General Senona was in a position to place Warrant Officer Sander on temporary placement to Supply Chain Management, but there was no indication that the complainant had been consulted or interviewed at that time.

“by the 13th of February 2024 General Senona was in a position to place Warrant Officer Sander on temporary placement to Supply Chain Management”

Warrant Officer Sander was moved from SANEB to EP Protected Resources on instruction of General Senona following an investigation that concluded in March 2025.

“after this letter, it is then that we moved him to EP on instruction by General Senona”

General Senona makes all final decisions and overrules Brigadier Nyuswa's recommendations, including on the matter of Warrant Officer Sanders' reassignment to SANEB.

“General Senona, he makes the final decision and is finally accountable, overruled my recommendation.”

General Senona does not consult when making decisions and this can be problematic in the leadership structure of the SAPS.

“He was not someone who consulted when he made decisions. - Yes.”

Brigadier Nyuswa did not inquire about the reason why General Senona rejected Warrant Officer Sanders' request to return to SANEB, simply passed on the decision.

“You do not ask, why, because he is more effective at SANEB. So this is on you because you were asked do you know why, and sitting here today you do not know, you do not have a reason which means you did not even enquire for yourself so that you are informed and you are aware what the reasons are. You just accepted that a decision was made and you left it there.”

Brigadier Nyuswa confirms having had discussions with Warrant Officer Sander about his allowance and placement issues but disputes that his discussion with General Senona was in March 2025, stating it was around July 2025.

“My discussion with General Senona was not in March... I think it was around this time in July because Sander started working back in EPR on the 1st of August 2025... I did have a conversation with Sander.”

Warrant Officer Sander was moved to EPR as a compromise to prevent losing his scarce skills allowance, not at Brigadier Nyuswa's direct request to General Senona to move him back to the operational unit SANEB.

“ADV SEGEELS-NCUBE”

Colonel Prinsloot expressed concern about the safety of exhibits after a break-in and communicated this to Brigadier Nyuswa, who reported it to General Senona and General Jacob but did not take further security measures, only urging to expedite the investigation.

“ADV KHUMALO SC”

The investigation exhibits were created by recommendation of the witness but instructions were given by General Senona, who held the key and liaised with Mpangase.

“the boss is the one that made these. You only recommended it and General Senona is the one that gave the instruction, creating, and ... He held the key. And effectively liaising with Mpangase.”

General Senona had the key and the investigators present were not assisting Brigadier Nyuswa; they were continuing with their normal duties.

“General Senona has the key and the investigators are there, and they were not even assisting in what I was doing. They were just continuing with their normal duties.”