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There is 24-hour security in the Department of Human Settlement via security guards, but there is no security and the alarm does not work in the DPCI office as of the date of the testimony.
“They have got 24-hour security guards there ... The DPCI office ... has got nothing ... The alarm does not even work any more.”
There were ongoing communications about payment owed to National Security and Fire, with warnings that services would be discontinued due to non-payment.
“On 14 December 2020 , National Security and Fire sent a further statement reflecting an amount of R3610 as outstanding . They then advised that they would remove us , the DPCI office , from their system and will not render any further services due to non payment . This was confirmed to me on 13 January 2021 .”
Requests for security and armed response were made to Supply Chain Management and Brigadier Nyuswa but were ignored despite repeated break-ins.
“Our request for security and armed response was again sent to Supply Chain Management and even sent to Brigadier Nyuswa. In fact, it had turned into a plea for help. It was very important that the DPCI’s office had a working alarm system linked to a security company. However, our request was ignored.”
Brigadier Nyuswa did not discuss any alternative storage for seized cocaine, nor mention more secure options such as Durban Police Stations, Maydon Wharf or Isipingo Stations, despite knowing the vulnerabilities of the DPCI office and the lack of active security.
“During that call, Brigadier Nyuswa did not discuss other alternatives. He made no mention of any other storage. I know there were Durban Police Stations, Maydon Wharf or Isipingo Stations, which operate 24 hours. These would have been more secure. Brigadier Nyuswa never mentioned anything about taking the exhibits to Isipingo or booking them at the Isipingo Police Station. Brigadier Nyuswa was obviously aware of the storage capacity of the safe. Equally, he was aware of the vulnerabilities of the DPCI office and the fact that there was no active security.”