Samuel Tsiane Mashaba

Chief Samuel Tsiane Mashaba joined Gauteng Traffic as a trainee in 2003, was seconded to the Premier's Office as Acting Supervisor in 2006, promoted to Chief Provincial Inspector in 2013, politically and forcefully removed in 2018, was arrested and detained at Johannesburg Central with three colleagues, was suspended, reinstated and transferred, then appointed Acting Deputy Director in 2020 at Sedibeng District, Southern Corridor.

“I, Samuel Tsiane Mashaba, state ... I am an adult male Traffic Officer. I joined Gauteng Traffic office in 2003 ... In 2006, I was then seconded to Premier's Office as a Supervisor...In 2013, I was then promoted to a Chief Provincial Inspector post at the Premier's office ... In 2018, I was politically and forcefully removed. I was even arrested and detained at Johannesburg Central... I was then suspended. Upon my reinstatement, I was transferred to Vereeniging regional office ... In 2020, I was appointed as the Acting Deputy Director, Sedibeng district”

Chief Mashaba was appointed Chief in 2013, was Acting Deputy Director in 2020, but did not get a permanent appointment as Deputy Director, and was demoted.

“I am still the Chief, appointed 2013. In 2020, I was appointed as the Acting ... this is the next level after the Chief ...”

Chief Mashaba received a tip-off on 8 July 2021 about a truck traveling from Durban to Johannesburg allegedly carrying drugs, then confirmed and acted on the information on the following day (9 July 2021).

“Aeroton Drug Bust. On Thursday, the 8th July 2021, I received a tip-off from Mr Tumelo Nkuo of a truck travelling from Durban to Johannesburg, which was allegedly suspected to have drugs in its cargo ... On the following morning, February the 9th July 2021 ...”

Chief Mashaba met Mr Nku who confirmed the positive information about drugs involving senior law enforcement officials, warning to be careful who to involve.

“At about 5 o'clock a.m., I received a call from Mr Nku who confirmed that the information was positive and that I should come meet him at a certain place in Alberton ... I need to emphasize this ... the information I got was that I need to be careful who to involve because it involves senior law enforcement officials ... So I met Mr Nku and he gave me a briefing on his information.”

Chief Mashaba sought assistance to conduct a search on the truck suspected of carrying drugs but initially did not get help from Warrant Officers Phokungwane and Magane or Lebo from PIU, Gauteng. Magane later became available and assisted.

“I needed backup to conduct such a process ... I contacted Warrant Officer Phokungwane ... he was not available ... He also could not refer me to anyone else on duty at Alberton SAPS ... However, he gave me Warrant Officer Magane's contact number ... I phoned Warrant Officer Magane for assistance ... he told me he could not assist at that moment ... I then phoned Lebo from PIU, Gauteng ... who told me he does not have a motorcar and could not assist as well ... I phoned Warrant Officer Magane again ... fortunately, he was now available and he agreed to come to assist.”

Warrant Officer Magane arrived within 30 minutes to assist Chief Mashaba and Mr Nku, drove a Nissan NP300 bakkie, after which they went to Yellow Jersey Logistics premises to conduct a search on the truck.

“He arrived where I was with Mr Nku ... He was driving his official vehicle, a Nissan NP300 bakkie ... after briefing him ... Mr Nku narrated the information again ... He then decided we would go to the premises of Yellow Jersey Logistics where the truck was allegedly parked ... We approached the premises and asked for a Depot Manager ... We informed him that we wanted to conduct a search on one of the trucks in the premises ... He agreed and confirmed the truck in question was still in the premises ...”