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Colonel Jacob explained that the drugs laboratory at FSL Amanzimtot is unable to accommodate whole brick exhibits, which caused difficulties in submitting entire exhibits to the lab at Pretoria.
“I knew these drugs, the lab could not accommodate them, FSL Amanzimtoti. I knew we were having a problem with the FSL at Pretoria because of the Isipingo exhibits that were lying there without being taken”
On 4 July 2021, samples were taken to the FSL Amanzimtoti for analysis, with exhibits being destroyed only after analysis reports are received, especially for matters under investigation.
“On 4th July 2021, I took these samples to the FSL Amanzimtoti for analysis. It is only when an analysis report is received from the FSL can exhibits be destroyed, more especially for matters under investigation.”
On 22 June 2021, FSL Amanzimtoti lacked the capacity to accommodate the exhibits for analysis or disposal.
“As at the 22nd of June, the day of the seizure, FSL Amanzimtoti did not have capacity to accommodate them.”
The sample taken to FSL on 5 July 2021 was a small exhibit bag containing minute amounts from various bricks for analysis confirmation of cocaine.
“On 5 July 2021, I took the sample to the FSL Amanzimtoti for analysis... it involved taking samples from a few bricks and placing a minute amount of powder into a small exhibit bag... This would then be conveyed to the FSL for analysis.”
Colonel Jacobs states that due to no space at FSL to forward all exhibits, samples were taken from bricks and placed in a small bag to be conveyed to FSL for analysis.
“Since the FSL had no space for us to forward all the exhibits, the next logical step to take was to forward samples to confirm indeed that if what we had was Cocaine. I called Colonel Khuzwayo, who is the Head of Chemistry at the FSL Amanzimtoti and sought guidance in this regard. It involved taking samples from a few bricks and placing a minute amount of powder into a small exhibit bag meant to accommodate these samples. This would then be conveyed to the FSL for analysis.”