WARRANT OFFICER SANDER

Adverse statements were made about the General by persons including Warrant Officer Sander, Brigadier Nyuswa, Lieutenant Colonel Jacob, and Witness H.

“there is nobody who can genuinely deny that adverse statements were made about the General by those persons.”

The client was made aware by the media that he was implicated in the Commission's proceedings on that day, which led to a request for a statement and annexures before being excused by the Commission.

“Our client was made aware by the media that he was implicated in today's proceedings of the Commission... our client would have requested for copies of his statement and annexures before being excused by the Commission earlier today.”

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 temporarily placed at another post pending investigation due to serious allegations involving the theft of cocaine and selling it to a specific gang.

“I later received a further instruction from General Surajbali to temporarily place the member at another post pending investigation ... there was a serious allegation of Warrant Officer Sander and other members involved in the theft of Cocaine at the harbour and selling it to a specific gang”

Colonel Jacobs was Acting Provincial Commander during the process to place Warrant Officer Sander at Supply Chain Management until investigation is finalized.

“Colonel Jacobs was the Acting Provincial Commander ... I placed him at Supply Chain Management until the investigation is finalized”

The thefts in the provincial office included a camera, state laptop with sensitive information, laminating machine, and a coffee machine associated with Warrant Officer Sander.

“there was a theft of a camera of the state . There was a theft of a state laptop which possesses sensitive information in that office . There was also a theft of a laminating machine . His coffee machine was the last one”

Brigadier Nyuswa initiated and applied for the reemployment of members in Supply Chain Management where Warrant Officer Sander was placed, and ordered polygraph tests due to disappearances.

“The person who initiated and applied for these members that are employed in that Supply Chain Management where this Sander was placed , was initiated by Brigadier Nyuswa ... All these members must go for polygraph test because there was no break-in , but things are disappearing”

Warrant Officer Sander was not subjected to polygraph examination due to theft of his coffee machine as claimed; rather, he was signed for a call-up instruction by the speaker.

“It is not correct that he was subjected to polygraph examination because of the theft of his own coffee machine that was stolen in that office ... I only signed the call-up instruction”

When Warrant Officer Sander was placed back to his office, the speaker informed Brigadier Nyuswa that the investigation was taking too long and suggested stopping Sander's allowances.

“I informed Brigadier Nyuswa that Warrant Officer Sander , because this investigation is taking too long , someone from the Legal Services wanted to stop his allowances”

The initial investigation against Warrant Officer Sander only found misconduct for not declaring a directorship in a shooting practice company, but the investigation on all serious allegations against him is ongoing.

“the only thing that was found at that stage was the misconduct of him not declaring the directorship of a shooting practice company. However, I think the investigation is ongoing of those allegations because they are of a serious nature”

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”

The investigations concerning Warrant Officer Sander, including serious allegations, are ongoing and have not come to a conclusion.

“I do not have a proper recollection of that ... it is not easy to close that type of investigation at a very short space of time the way it was dealt with, because also the DPP was involved guiding that investigation”

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”

There is a complaint against Warrant Officer Sander, which was originally received by the General as part of a statement but without the remainder of documents related to the complaint and investigations.

“He indicated he only has the statement but not the remainder of the documents relating to that complaint and the investigations.”

The investigation into the complaint against Warrant Officer Sander was conducted in line with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and involved a Risk and Integrity Management section.

“When we conduct investigation in the DPCI, there are different things that we do. You will realise that on paragraph 4, it talks about the investigation that was conducted in line with the FIC, Financial Intelligence Centre.”

The disciplinary issue against Warrant Officer Sander, finalised through recommendations by the FIC, does not necessarily indicate criminal conduct as depicted in the original complaint.

“These issues that I heard does not necessarily indicate that the criminal conduct as it is depicted in the complaint, it has been finalised. The certain sections that are directing us towards that were finalised, but not the actual criminal conduct as per the original complaint, Commissioners.”

The complaint against Warrant Officer Sander was investigated but investigators could not contact the complainant as the email was bogus or nonexistent.

“They could not get hold of the complainant because either the email was bogus or it did not exist and that is as far as they could take it.”

Colonel Jacob testified he does not know who was acting Provincial Commander at the time of the complaint and denied knowledge of Warrant Officer Sander's temporary transfer or suspension.

“he says he does not know who was acting in that period . He discounts the possibility it was him . He testified that he did not know of when Warrant Officer Sander was temporarily suspended , transferred is the word , as you testified , and he categorically denied that he was a part of that meeting .”

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 .”

Warrant Officer Sander was temporarily placed (transferred) following the complaint, but Colonel Jacob was not part of the meeting where this transfer was discussed.

“he was asked who was the acting Provincial Commander at the time and he testified that he does not remember and that he does not know anything about this temporary transfer . He suggests that he was not part of a meeting where Warrant Officer Sander was informed of the complaint and their transfer .”

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.”

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...”

There is an ongoing investigation around allegations that Warrant Officer Sander is involved in the distribution of drugs which has not yet cleared him.

“There was an investigation around allegations of drugs, that the Warrant Officer Sander is involved in the distribution of drugs... that investigation has not been concluded as he was not cleared”

The investigation could not reach the complainant concerning the drug allegations against Warrant Officer Sander, and despite attempts to contact, the complainant has not been found.

“The investigation is still continuing... we tried to get hold of the complainant, and we have not found the complainant... We have emailed the complainant...”

Warrant Officer Sander had lodged a complaint about exhibits getting lost against certain people, including Colonel Jacob who testified that exhibits were removed and not fully accounted for.

“He mentioned that he lodged a complaint... about exhibits getting lost against certain people... including Colonel Jacob, one of the people against whom he was saying they took exhibits out and then those exhibits were not fully accounted for.”

The investigation against Warrant Officer Sander lasted almost two years with no positive outcome, and support is expressed for his return to his previous post at SOCI/SANEB.

“this investigation against him is almost two years, as the Commissioner also advised me, and nothing at this stage positively came out in relation to that investigation. Yes, I will not have a problem if he goes back there.”

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.”

The complainant about Warrant Officer Sander could not be traced, and despite this, the investigation continued due to the serious nature of the allegations.

“I know that the complainant could not be traced. The investigation continued because these were serious allegations.”

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.”

The Captain implicated in complaints was already out of SANEB and was a partner of Warrant Officer Sander while in SANEB.

“The Captain was already out of the SANEB and he was a partner of, while he was in SANEB, was a partner of Warrant Officer Sander.”

Warrant Officer Sander corrected his evidence that Brigadier Nyuswa was not present at the meeting in February 2024 when he was placed.

“Warrant Officer Sander has corrected his evidence ... that you were not in the meeting in February 2024 when he was placed”

Colonel Jacob was in the meeting in February 2024 where Warrant Officer Sander's placement was discussed.

“Colonel Jacob, according to Warrant Officer Sander, was in that meeting”

Brigadier Nyuswa was not notified about Warrant Officer Sander's move to Supply Chain Management but was involved in the corruption investigation against him.

“You say when you came back you found out and were just notified that Warrant Officer Sander had been moved to Supply Chain Management ... you were involved in the investigation of serious allegations of corruption against him”

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”

Brigadier Nyuswa was shown a letter containing serious allegations against Warrant Officer Sander and did not object to his removal from the team.

“I was shown this letter , and I looked at the letter and there were serious allegations . So I did not object to the decision taken to remove him”

Brigadier Nyuswa verified an information note prepared by Admin Clerk Ntshangase regarding the inquiry into Warrant Officer Sander.

“the information note was verified by you . It was prepared by ... Ntshangase . What does the AC stand for ? Admin Clerk ... Ntshangase . And you verified it ...”

Warrant Officer Sanders has 12 different calibre firearms registered in his name and is a director of at least one entity; a request for information on his entity was forwarded to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

“Warrant Officer Sander ’s profiling , revealed that he has 12 different calibre firearms registered on his name , licence holder . He serves in a position of director , at least one entity and a request for information on his entity was forwarded to Financial Intelligence Centre”

A meeting was held with Advocate Harrison from the Durban Director of Public Prosecution on 13 February 2024 regarding Warrant Officer Sanders' case.

“A meeting was held with Advocate Harrison from Director of Public Prosecution in Durban on the 13th of February 2024”

Advocate Vani Govender suggested referring the matter to Pietermaritzburg DPP office because the Durban office has other matters involving Warrant Officer Sander.

“Advocate Vani Govender, Head of Organised Crime at Durban DPP Office, suggested that the matter should be referred to Pietermaritzburg DPP's office because Durban office has other matters involving the target”

Financial Intelligence Centre recommended the request be scrutinized for further investigation on possible criminal and/or illegal activities by Warrant Officer Sander and to identify additional suspects.

“following recommendations are to be considered . That this request be scrutinised for further investigation on possible criminal and / or illegal activities perpetrated by the subject based on the information outlined in this report and to identify additional suspects that may be involved in such activity”

The allegations in the whistleblower's email of 5 February 2024 were serious, including collusion with a drug syndicate, and were the reason for moving the individual.

“the allegations were more serious than that. It was that he was colluding with the drug syndicate. That was the allegations. That is what resulted in him being moved, according to you”

The complainant in the whistleblower email may not have existed and could have been an attempt to get Warrant Officer Sander moved from SANEB because he was doing a good job and stepping on toes.

“the complainant may not even exist. It could have just been an attempt to move him, get him to be moved from SANEB because he was doing a good job, which is what he was saying, that he was stepping on toes and that is why he was being moved”

No conclusive verification was ever made regarding the allegations that Warrant Officer Sander was colluding with a drug syndicate.

“Were you ever able to verify those allegations that Warrant Officer Sander was colluding with a drug syndicate ? According to my information, we could not”

Warrant Officer Sander was found guilty of not disclosing membership in a shooting club and received a verbal warning after a disciplinary hearing.

“He has been found guilty of not disclosing that he is a member of a shooting club and that he gets a verbal warning”

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”

The decision for Warrant Officer Sander to go to EP Protected Resources instead of back to SANEB was made by the Provincial Head and complied with by Brigadier Nyuswa.

“It was a decision by the Provincial Head that he does not go to SANEB , he must go to EPR , and I complied”

Warrant Officer Sander challenged the cancellation of his scarce skills allowance and service allowance, which led to his transfer to the Employee Performance Review (EPR) section rather than back to his operational unit SANEB.

“According to him, it was because he challenged the cancellation of his scarce skills allowance... he was ultimately moved, not to SANEB, but to EPR... because he was complaining about his scarce skills allowance and his service allowance”

Warrant Officer Sander received a written notice on 14 July 2025 cancelling his scarce skills allowance and service allowance with immediate effect because he was placed at Supply Chain Management and not performing operational duties.

“On 14 July I received a written notice of cancellation of my scarce skills allowance and service allowance with immediate effect. The reason given being that I am currently placed at Supply Chain Management in the Provincial Office and not performing any operational duties.”

Despite Warrant Officer Sander's request to be placed back in his usual operational duties at Durban Serious Organized Crime, he was moved to EPR section because of his complaint about allowance cancellation.

“He says ... I should be placed back in my position at Durban Serious Organised Crime to perform my usual operational duties as soon as possible with the immediate reinstatement of my scarce skills allowance and service allowance... he was ultimately moved ... to EPR ... notwithstanding his request to be moved back to his usual operational duties.”

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”

Brigadier Nyuswa accepted that he did not know Warrant Officer Sander's experience level at a new depot and acknowledged he should have probed but did not. He explained he valued Sander because he was an experienced drug investigator.

“He is an experienced drug investigator... I would have not known that this was his first time... should I have known, I would have probed to say, but why, where is Colonel Gopalsamy?”

Experts testified it is very difficult or impossible to identify the consignee or owner of drug consignments, and investigation officers have never found the consignee.

“People who have expertise in this field have said that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to ever get to know who the person supposed to receive the consignment is ... they basically said they have never found the consignee.”

Lt-Col Sibiya confirms receiving a complaint email from Warrant Officer Sander and acted by forwarding it to his Commander Lieutenant Colonel Gopalsamy, who had already drafted a report and sent it to the Provincial Office, concerning a member who was convicted.

“I confirm receiving that complaint ? Yes, I confirm ..... I did hand him over and showed him the email .... He indicated that he already drafted a report regarding this matter ..... the report was sent to the Provincial Office . What I know is that this member was convicted.”

Lt-Col Sibiya has not seen the report sent by Colonel Gopalsamy to the Provincial Office about the allegations but knows verbally that the report was sent and investigation was instituted against the member.

“I have never seen that. I have not seen the report .... But he told us, when Warrant Officer Sander was present in our morning meeting, he told us that your issue or your email has been attended to. I have submitted a report to Provincial Office. Hence, the investigation was instituted against a member.”

Warrant Officer Sander's affidavit confirms that Perumal said he did not have enough members to guard the exhibits.

“Even Warrant Officer Sander confirms in his affidavit... he does make mention that Warrant Officer Perumal indicated to him that he did not have enough members to guard these exhibits.”

The absence of LCRC involvement was to avoid the formal record as the entire seizure was never meant to formally enter SAPS records except for a cryptic SAPS 13 entry at Isipingo.

“why you did not call LCRC was to avoid this formality that Colonel Sander confronted, because this entire seizure was never really meant to go formally into the records of the SAP, besides a cryptic SAPS 13 entry at Isipingo”

A letter dated 3 February 2024 from General Senona addressed to the Acting Provincial Commander of Serious Organized Crime Investigation in KwaZulu-Natal concerns the temporary placement of Warrant Officer Sander pending an investigation due to allegations of serious corruption.

“This is a letter dated 3 February 2024 . . . from General Senona . It is addressed to the Acting Provincial Commander , Serious Organized Crime Investigation , Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation , KwaZulu-Natal . . . regarding Warrant Officer Sander and his temporary placement to Provincial Support Services . A complaint was received on allegations of serious corruption against the above-mentioned member . . . it has been decided that Warrant Officer Sander be placed on Provincial Support Services as from 13 February 2024 until further notice pending the outcome of this investigation .”

Colonel Jacob confirmed that Warrant Officer Sander reported to him and that he became aware of the transfer on or about 13 February 2024.

“Regarding Warrant Officer Sander . . . At this time , Warrant Officer Sander reported to you ? Yes. When did you become aware of this transfer , and how ? . . . it must have been on that date , or one or two days afterward . . . about 13 February 2024 .”

The allegations against Warrant Officer Sander involved dealing or selling drugs to nightclubs in the Florida Road area and theft of cocaine, but Colonel Jacob had no active role in the investigation and only had second-hand information.

“I was not the one handling the investigation . All I can tell you is second-hand information . It was allegations of dealing or selling drugs to nightclubs in the Florida Road area , and allegations of theft of Cocaine .”

Warrant Officer Sander was seeking promotion to Captain in November 2021 and Colonel Jacob recommended him as suitable for promotion but Warrant Officer Sander was not promoted.

“He was seeking to be promoted to the rank of Captain... you signed and supported him with the comment that the member is suitable for promotion... Yes. And he was not promoted.”

Colonel Jacob admits not knowing why Warrant Officer Sander was not promoted despite recommendation and not following up on the reasons, stating that investigating such matters through selection panels is improper and equates to interference.

“I cannot say why... I have never sat on a panel... It is improper to now find out from a selection panel. It is not done. It is now that you are interfering.”

Warrant Officer Sander was making enquiries at FSL regarding exhibits seized at CHC Depot on 5 February 2020.

“Warrant Officer Sander of my office was also making enquiries to the FSL with regards to the exhibits seized at CHC Depot on the 5th of February 2020.”

Colonel Jacob says the confusion regarding exhibits storage may stem from mixing up incidents in February 2020 with the 22 June 2021 incident at Isipingo SAP where exhibits were refused.

“I think I mixed up our previous incident in February 2020 ... and the whole debacle there ... I am the one that secured Durban Central SAP with regards to storing those exhibits that Isipingo had turned away.”

Warrant Officer Sander states he uses a crime scene kit in his vehicle for evidentiary operations.

“I have a crime scene kit in the back of my vehicle”

Sources give information to the police through a process including source claims that are documented and rewarded upon recovery and conviction, but may lose interest as their role is intelligence.

“A source gave certain information to the police, so a source claim would then be submitted through their processes. The source claim would have to come to me, because I would have to put a copy of this docket with it to show how the source gave the information or validated that source information. So they would then have an understanding of what I have done with the exhibits because the source gets rewarded on a recovery. The source gets rewarded on a recovery and then a conviction. So at a certain point, they might lose interest in the docket because their intention is intelligence.”

Sampling on recovery scenes differs from FSL's chemical analysis labs; customs are involved in chemical sampling and detention of suspected illicit chemicals, not FSL on scenes.

“If I am dealing with illicit chemicals which I suspect to be used in the manufacture of narcotics... Customs gets involved, because Customs can take samples from containers and stuff like that, and they have a laboratory... But personally, Commissioner, I will say I have not had experience in sampling or doing that on the scene.”

Presumptive tests are investigative leads only, involving simple field tests, not formal analysis that FSL does.

“It is something totally different, Commissioner. Remember, a presumptive test does not come with a 212 statement. It is just an investigative lead. It is a little swab. It is the same as having a dog bark at the drugs. It is not what FSL does. It is a presumptive test just saying to me, yes, you are on the right track, carry on.”

Only Forensic Science Laboratory is authorized to destroy exhibits, following strict protocols; Investigating Officers are not authorized to destroy exhibits themselves.

“There is only one authorised entity that destroys exhibits, and that is Forensic Science Laboratory. ... I am not authorised to destroy an exhibit.”

Phones left at a scene are generally destroyed rather than returned or auctioned due to sensitive information; Exhibit Clerk is authorized to destroy such phones.

“If I have a suspect that has left a phone at a scene and the matter is finalised, a cell phone is now destroyed. So you authorise the Exhibit Clerk to have that phone destroyed. How they do it, they squash it, they break it, or they send it to a scrapyard, I do not know. But there is an authorisation that is done to destroy that exhibit.”

A June 2021 seizure involved a container classified as bone meal, which is a waste animal product detained automatically by Veterinary Services of the Department of Health.

“This relates to the June 2021 seizure... When the vessel arrives offshore, it submits a notice to discharge to the Port Authority... The person that packed this would have given it a classification and a commodity code... I see it is bone meal. It is an animal product. It is a waste product. There is a system in place that flags these items automatically. And what it does is it automatically places a detention on that consignment... The detention notice here is the Department of Health, Veterinary Services.”

SARS issues detention notices automatically and formally from its Illicit Trade Group to import managers for containers flagged for investigation after they have been placed in the yard.

“the detention notice is placed automatically. Now they are doing a formal notice, and that is what this piece of paper is. It is a formal notice from the SARS Illicit Trade Group to the import manager, saying we want to look at those 10 containers that you have landed .”

Warrant Officer Sander had his scarce skills allowance and service allowance cancelled with immediate effect on 14 July 2025 because he was placed at Supply Chain Management in the Provincial Office and was not performing operational duties.

“On 14 July 2025 , I received a written notice of cancellation of my scarce skills allowance and service allowance with immediate effect . The reason given being that I am currently placed in Supply Chain Management at the Provincial Office and not performing any operational duties .”

Warrant Officer Sander was temporarily placed at Provincial Support Services DPCI KZN pending the outcome of a corruption investigation against him and requested immediate written confirmation on the outcome and status of that placement.

“I was temporarily placed at the Provincial Support Services DPCI KZN , pending the outcome of the investigation . In the circumstances , I hereby request immediate written confirmation of the outcome of the initial investigation and the consequent status of my temporary placement .”

Warrant Officer Sander stated he never applied for transfer or replacement at Provincial Support Services DPCI KZN and currently holds a post of Investigator at Serious Organised Crime Durban.

“I have never applied for a transfer to or replacement at Provincial Support Services DPCI KZN , nor do I hold or occupy a specific post number at Provincial Support Services DPCI KZN . I currently hold a post of Investigator at Serious Organised Crime Durban .”

Warrant Officer Sander was notified on or about 19 December 2024 by Colonel Jacob that an investigation (case number KZN DPCI/DR4/2024) was finalized and he was issued a verbal warning for allegations against him.

“On or about 19 December 2024 , Colonel Jacob phoned me and informed me that the investigation under case number KZN DPCI/DR4/2024 had been finalised and that he was issuing me with a verbal warning in respect to the allegations against me .”

Warrant Officer Sander requested immediate reinstatement of his scarce skills allowance and service allowance and return to his position at Durban Serious Organised Crime to perform usual operational duties.

“I believe that I should be placed back in my position at Durban Serious Organised Crime to perform my usual operational duties as soon as possible with the immediate reinstatement of my scarce skills allowance and service allowance .”

Crime Intelligence operatives provide intelligence which is sometimes just accepted and operationalised based on prior working relationship and trust.

“Commissioner, you get to know your intelligence operatives. Some of them will take a chance on information, but we do have members that we have worked for, for years. And if he comes to me with information, he presents the information to me, I will accept it as fact and I will operationalise it.”

If Crime Intelligence operatives provide information about containers and have the necessary permissions, Warrant Officer Sander proceeds with inspections and arranges follow-ups as required, but does not verify the permissions independently.

“It is positive on both of the scenarios given to me at the moment. Yes, on both. ... But if the instruction given to me is the container is stacked for you, it is ready for inspection, go look there, I will go and look. But in the other version of when the information comes and then I have to do the necessary follow-ups and arrangements, yes, I do that.”

If there is high confidence of drugs in a container and risk of theft, Warrant Officer Sander is prepared to use the necessary laws to seize and access the container without waiting for permissions to prevent narcotics moving quickly.

“If my information is 100% positive, I trust my CI, they say to me go to that container, there is drugs there, go there now quickly. I am going to do the same zest and zeal, and go there quickly and start working. ... I am not going to wait for their permission. I will use the necessary laws to go and seize that container and gain access so I can stop the movement of those narcotics. ... a container can move very quickly.”

If relying solely on intelligence information from Crime Intelligence that a container holds drugs, Warrant Officer Sander acts on reasonable suspicion, even if the information is wrong, because of the risk of delay and narcotics moving fast.

“Commissioner, maybe I heard this, so yes, I am relying on the reasonable suspicion. ... if that information is wrong and you have opened a container without the necessary authorisations, what are you relying upon, the suspicion that there are drugs there, and is it a reasonable suspicion if you are only relying upon the evidence or the information you are getting from a CI?”

Warrant Officer Sander was charged for failing to declare directorship in a shooting club related to victimisation issues within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).

“the verbal warning was in consequence of the alleged, well, that you failed to declare your directorship in the shooting club”

Two senior Hawks officers were arrested on allegations, one of them being released on bail and returning to work without disciplinary action despite serious charges of extortion or corruption.

“One of the ladies there was arrested for extortion or corruption ... The person came back to work, nothing happened”

Warrant Officer Sander made a complaint about loss of exhibits and docket disappearance, but has not received an acknowledgement or written response to the complaint submitted to Captain Sibiya.

“The complaint was about the loss of exhibits... You submitted it to Captain Sibiya. Did you receive a response? No ... the answer is still no.”

An investigation was conducted related to complaints by Warrant Officer Sander but unrelated to the issues he complained about; the subject was found guilty in court but was not dismissed or discharged.

“there was a investigation but on different cases, not those cases ... The member was eventually found guilty in court, but the member was not dismissed, the member... discharge”

Warrant Officer Sander was informed by Colonel Jacob personally about suspects who stole drugs and their links to DPCI management.

“I was informed by Colonel Jacob personally who they are. But the links to the management are known ... Correct, Commissioner”

Warrant Officer Sander states that container yards operate as businesses where containers get paid for every day they are there and inspectors need cooperation from the yard to do their job effectively.

“That container in that yard gets paid for every single day that it is there. It is an economy in our country. But my job is to do my job, now and today. So I will extend the invitation, guys, I need to inspect this container now. How long? You are messing me around, I am doing it without you. It is under camera, I have got witnesses, I proceed.”

Warrant Officer Sander says inspectors must speak to the container yard manager or operations manager and need resources to move containers, as they are not equipped to do so alone.

“I do speak to the container yard manager. I will speak to the operations manager, I will speak to whoever is there. The more people there give me more resources. I do not have the resources to move certain items. I am not superman to lift a container. So for me to do my job in that environment, I need them.”

Warrant Officer Sander describes that entry to container yards is a secure process requiring notification and often escort, vehicle scanning, and compliance with health and safety rules.

“You cannot just get into that yard without them knowing that you are there. It is a secure premises. For most of these yards, you either go in under escort, you are scanned in, they scan your vehicle, they do everything. Depending on the level of occupation health and safety, your vehicle might not even be allowed in. So you walk. So they know you are there, then it is just good manners to go and introduce yourself and say this is what we are busy with, we might be here a little bit, we might be here long, or I need the following resources.”

When a container is detained for inspection, shippers can choose which yard the container will be inspected at, often with notification and booking for space, but container yards like Durban Container Terminal must cooperate by providing resources and facilitating quick unpacking and movement upon request.

“If a container or a set of containers is brought in for inspection, and then they get detained, let us say they get detained before inspection, they will then say, take them to this yard. There is a booking that I can accommodate them for you for this week. Otherwise they will go into a stack where they are paying cheap rental while it is being installed. So in this case, CHC or LCS or Grindrod, they will say to you, okay, I have got five spaces for five containers today, then in two days' time you can do the next containers for inspection ... the shipping agent or the shippers, they do say, listen, this cargo is going to LCS, the cargo is going to Grindrod, the cargo is going to CHC. They can choose that. But there are some instances where we know that, like Durban Container Terminal, there is relationships, I need a container check today, I will phone them, hey guys, I need a favour, can I bring a container to you quickly?”

Warrant Officer Sander confirms that container depots could be involved in trafficking, based on received information though not yet proven.

“We could. Yes, Commissioner. Information has been received, but I have yet to prove it, Commissioner.”

Warrant Officer Sander states that many container yards have issues with counterfeit goods.

“A lot of yards, especially with counterfeit goods.”

Warrant Officer Sander explains that securing containers at yard takes place with seals, sometimes by SARS or the yard itself to insure against loss, requiring cordial relationships between police and yards.

“When I close that container, I do not have a container seal. So if it is a SARS detention, SARS needs to be there to put their seal on, but then the container yard must still supply me the resources to reseal that container, which is their yard seal. For insurance, they need to document that because it is a loss to that company. So the cordial relationship must exist.”

Warrant Officer Sander details undercover operations conducted under section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act to detect drugs on vessels, involving boarding ships and using substances like baby powder as decoys.

“It is an undercover operation. It is conducted in terms of section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act. Me as an Investigating Officer, I have done a few of them. I have boarded vessels at sea. We found the drugs. We swabbed the drugs. We put baby powder. We put something, it looks the same, along with the ...”

Warrant Officer Sander was temporarily placed in another department because his superiors were moving him out of the way due to him interfering with drug traffickers' activities.

“you were temporarily placed in another department because your superiors were moving you out of the way because you were stepping on the toes of the drug traffickers”

Warrant Officer Sanders himself has not had a success with controlled drug deliveries, although others have.

“I have not had a success, Commissioner. But other people have had success.”

The port environment is highly secured and controlled by syndicates, which makes autonomous surveillance operations nearly impossible without detection.

“The port itself is a fenced environment... every access point is controlled. If your syndicate controls the access to the port, they have got access to drug flow in and out... If I operate in the port, I cannot operate with autonomy without anyone around me...”

All port operations involving placing a transponder device on a drug container are known to the ship's crew and harbor, thus broadcasting the operation and reducing the likelihood of success.

“I must tell the captain, the ship's engineer, the first mate, that I need to go below deck and put a transponder and open the container... You are broadcasting your whole operation before it even starts.”

Some intercepted drug shipments have their own transponder devices that track the shipments independently from the police.

“We have intercepted drug shipments where we found their own transponder devices inside those bags. So they themselves are tracking their shipment...”

Criminals controlling drug shipments have better technology than the police, requiring the police to constantly change strategy.

“They have better technology than we do... So we have to out-think them all the time... So as of today we must now change our strategy again.”

General Senona signed the letter that moved Warrant Officer Sander to another department.

“he is the one who signed the letter”

Warrant Officer Sander believes he has done a good job and made some good recoveries but has not received any accolade, appraisal, award, or nomination for his work.

“I have made some good recoveries. I think I have done a very good job. I do not need anyone else to tell me that. It is in my heart. If I was not doing a good job, I would not have been here. Never have I received an accolade, an appraisal, an award, or a nomination at the Prestige Awards or anything for the work done.”

Warrant Officer Sander asserts there is no other logical reason for his transfer except because he was interfering with someone's activities.

“There is no other logical reason, Commissioner. If I was not interfering with someone's activities, they would have left me. But if I was efficient to interrupt their activities, I was targeted.”

Warrant Officer Sander believes that once a complaint is found to have no merit, the person should be returned to their previous position, but he has not been returned, suggesting that they do not want him there.

“even if there was an initial complaint, you believe that once it was found not to have merit, you should have been returned to your old position? Correct, Commissioner. And the fact that you have not been returned suggests to you at least that they do not want you there? Correct, Commissioner.”

Warrant Officer Sander failed a polygraph test but was only unofficially informed and never received the official polygraph failure report until seeing it at the Commission.

“I am telling you, I have never seen that report until yesterday. It is scary. And then you see your name there, and you say, hold on, this is the thing that I have been looking for all my life just to say I did not do it. ... You put the report in front of me yesterday. I even said to you, am I allowed to even see this. It is the first time I have seen that. ... No, you failed. ... Until yesterday, all right, thank you.”

The polygraph examiner made serious errors during the polygraph examination, the test was considered invalid and Warrant Officer Sander was exonerated and the examiner stopped from conducting further tests.

“A non-conformance was opened and investigated against the polygraph examiner. The test was considered invalid so that the examinee was not prejudiced by the errors of the polygraph examiner. The polygraph examiner in question was stopped from conducting any further polygraph examinations thereafter.”

Despite his post not changing on the system, Warrant Officer Sander worked two job descriptions after the transfer: one for Support Services and one for DPCI Serious Organized Crime SANEB.

“I am actually gone back to my very same office at my old office... So, I had two jobs that were running.”

Warrant Officer Sander was subpoenaed to appear to provide evidence about drug busts including the Port Shepstone theft and other drug busts around Durban in that period.

“Warrant Officer Sander's name appears in many other instances related not only to the Port Shepstone theft but other drug busts that occured in Durban around that period, and so therefore we subpoenaed him to appear today to give evidence.”

There was an incident at Isipingo Police Station involving the exhibit clerk Warrant Officer Peramal where exhibits of a bust in February 2020 were not stored properly which influenced the decision on 2 June 2021 regarding cocaine that was not stored at Isipingo.

“His statement deals with a previous incident at Isipingo Police Station with the same exhibit clerk, Warrant Officer Peramal, and why the exhibits of his bust that occurred in February 2020 were also not stored or why the exhibit registrar was reluctant to accept those exhibits, which is an aspect which Colonel Jacob relies upon for the decision-making that was made on the 2nd of June 2021 regarding the cocaine that was not stored at Isipingo.”

Warrant Officer Sander provided a statement to the Commission related to the Port Shepstone stream and is expected to testify about his career and important highlights since joining the police force.

“Warrant Officer Sander's statement can be found in the Consolidated Statement file section 3 and it is an annexure to Colonel Jacob's statement, which he has submitted to the Commission... The witness is Karl Ronald Sander and he is taking the oath.”

Warrant Officer Sander corrected a date entry in his statement from 2026-02-06 to 2020-02-06.

“I see there is a date incorrectly entered in here. It would have been 2020-02-06, not 2026-02-06.”

Warrant Officer Sander joined the South African Police in 1986 and went to college in 1987.

“1986-12-31, I was attested in the South African police. 1987, I went to college.”

Warrant Officer Sander has extensive training from 1991 to 2024 in counter-terrorism, narcotics investigation, drug identification, clandestine labs, and narcotics enforcement including international courses.

“• 1991 , Combating of Terrorism Reaction Course . • 1991 , Identification of Explosives . • 1996 , SWAT Instructor . • I was a training instructor for the South African police . • In 2000 , I completed my Detective Learning Program . • 2002 , Narcotics Investigators Course . • 2007 , Street Survival . • 2008 , Tactical Survival . • 2009 , Analyst Notebook I 2 Explorer . • 2010 , training presented by the DEA, Drug Identification and Clandestine Laboratories . • In 2010 , it is part of the SWAT Co-Program, Drug Identification and Trafficking and Identification of Chemical Equipment Used in the Clandestine Laboratories and Manufacturing of Illicit Substances . • In 2013 , I completed a Certificate in Anti-Corruption for Practitioners . • 2015 , I completed a course by the NCIS Homeland Security by the Americans in the Counter-Illicit Smuggling in the Maritime Environment . • In 2015 , I am qualified as a Non-Intimate DNA Collection . • In 2023 , I completed a course of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency in the New Trends in Clandestine Laboratories and Chemical Monitoring . • In 2024 , I was able to assist in writing a course for the South African Police , which is the Specialized Narcotics Investigation Learning Program .”

Warrant Officer Sander developed and has been involved in training the Specialized Narcotics Investigation Program since about 2000, which includes training members of SAPS, SANEB, DPCI, Customs, Organized Crime, Crime Intelligence, and FSLA members.

“For the last , yoh , I began in about 2000 , traveling around the country , training the different Narcotics units , Crime Intelligence , and Organized Crime . We began developing a training program . It is the program that I mentioned now . It is the Specialized Narcotics Investigation Program . There was a team of us , and that is what I did . It trained the DPCI , the SANEB members , the Station members , Organized Crime , Crime Intelligence , Customs . We sit in with members from FSLA as well , so it is quite a cool course .”

Warrant Officer Sander was trained in practical courses involving wearing correct PPE and producing dockets or inquiry files at crime scenes.

“You are given a practical where you are taught to wear all the correct PPE, and then process that scene, and then at the end, produce a docket or an inquiry file.”

NCIS Homeland Security, Counter Illicit Smuggling, Maritime Environment unit dealt with heroin and cocaine trade via sea, including containerized vessels, fishing vessels, and air transport, involving cross-border integration.

“If I am correct, that had a lot to do with the Heroin trade and the Cocaine trade. So it was everything that was coming by sea... also included air transport as well. So it is your cross-border integration.”

Warrant Officer Sander has been involved in narcotics investigations from 1999 until 2023/2024.

“1999... Ja, 2023/2024, Commissioner.”

In 2024, Warrant Officer Sander was moved away from narcotics investigations to the provincial head office under General Senona, working in supply chain management looking after weapons for the KZN Armory for the DPCI.

“I was moved away from my work environment, Commissioner... The provincial head office under General Senona... Supply chain management... I looked after all the weapons for the KZN Armory for the DPCI.”

In August of the previous year, Warrant Officer Sander was moved back to Economic Protected Resources unit, working on crimes against infrastructure, wildlife, high-profile kidnappings, and human trafficking.

“I was moved back to Economic Protected Resources in August of last year, Commissioner... I now work with crimes against infrastructure... wildlife, as well as high-profile kidnappings and human trafficking.”

Warrant Officer Sander presented lectures to the South African Regional Police Commissioners Organization (SARPCO) on drug interdiction, focusing on heroin and methamphetamine smuggling corridors.

“SARPCO... I was privileged enough to present lectures to them and it builds up a brilliant communication, because that is the corridor for the Heroin and Methamphetamine into our country. So I was presenting courses to SARPCO attendees.”

Warrant Officer Sander was involved in multiple drug busts in Durban between 2020 and 2023 involving large quantities of Mandrax, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

“General Flynn had created table of drug busts that occurred in Durban... 5 February 2020 at CHC Depot, 547 kilograms Mandrax... 8 May 2020... 11 August 2020, Durban, 20 kilograms of Cocaine... 23 February 2021, 495 packages of Meth... 30 July 2021, Maydon Wharf, 1,000 kilograms of Cocaine... 28 November 2022, 60 kilograms of Cocaine at R & D Port... 13/10/2023, 228 kilograms of Cocaine at Dube Cold Storage...”

Warrant Officer Sander personally attended a February 16, 2022 drug bust but it was not his case; it was assigned to Colonel K.G. Sibiya.

“16th of February 2022... I attended the scene... but it was not my case... It was given to Colonel Sibiya... K G Sibiya.”

The 13 October 2023 cocaine bust at Dube Cold Storage involved frozen chicken from South America with cocaine hidden between the chicken.

“It is deemed a port operation... It was right next to King Shark International Airport... inside an industrial space... frozen chicken coming from South America into South Africa and here we had information and there was a shipment of Cocaine hidden in between the chicken.”

There was another cocaine bust at Grindrod warehouse involving cocaine found in paint drums; however, the case number provided initially was incorrect.

“I have been part of one... another one where the Cocaine was found in paint drums... But, Commissioner, the case number is incorrect... That would be correct because it was at Grindrod... It is at the Grindrod warehouse... But on the image itself, the index to 13/10/2023 is incorrect.”

Warrant Officer Sander confirms attendance at the scene of a bust involving irregular paint tins identifying concealed cocaine.

“I can confirm those are the images that were there, and I can confirm I did attend the scene.”

Warrant Officer Sander participated in the paint bust operation and identified cocaine concealed in paint tins due to irregularities on the lids but did not act further.

“I was part of the team under a Commander. I can say it was easy. We spotted the paint tins because of irregularities on the lids, and then we identified the Cocaine and unpacked it. I did nothing further than that.”

Warrant Officer Sander was moved to Support Services due to a pending investigation of corruption and served a letter signed by General Senona regarding this transfer.

“I was moved to Support Services due to a pending investigation of corruption. I was served a letter by General Senona, and I was moved.”

Warrant Officer Sander confirms the letter served to him is a Notice of Temporary Placement due to serious corruption allegations made against him.

“A complaint was received on allegations of serious corruption against the above-mentioned member, who is attached to the SANEB team at Durban Serious Organized Crime Investigation...”

Warrant Officer Sander was verbally informed in a meeting by senior police officers about allegations against him of supplying narcotics to the Florida Road Nightclub Syndicates.

“I was told that an email had been sent to the National Head Office that I was accused of supplying or facilitating the supply of narcotics to the Florida Road Nightclub Syndicates.”

The investigation into Warrant Officer Sander was closed unofficially within four to five days with a negative finding.

“Unofficially, I found out that the enquiry was closed, I think it was in four days or five days... The enquiry was closed within four days. It was filed, negative.”

Warrant Officer Sander received no official written communication about the corruption investigation other than a Notice of Temporary Placement letter.

“Besides this... No.”

Warrant Officer Sander never received any disciplinary letters or writings related to the investigation.

“No nothing.”

Warrant Officer Sander asserts he was never placed on suspension during the investigation period.

“No, Commissioner.”

Warrant Officer Sander’s immediate superior during the time of the corruption allegations and transfer was Colonel Jacob.

“My immediate superior was Colonel Jacob.”

Warrant Officer Sander never saw the email complaint against him nor was he given official writing of the allegations.

“Never.”

After being informed the enquiry was closed, Warrant Officer Sander’s immediate superiors never discussed the closure with him.

“No.”

Warrant Officer Sander describes his working environment at Support Services as a prison but praises the colleagues he worked with as incredible humans.

“For me, it was prison. The people I work with, are amazing and I will say that over and over again, incredible humans.”

Warrant Officer Sander was verbally warned by Colonel Jacob for running a business as Vice Chairman of a police shooting club without telling the police about his interest in the business.

“I am the Vice Chairman of the police shooting club... I was charged for running a business without telling the police that I had an interest in the business. The outcome of that was a verbal warning by Colonel Jacob.”

The corruption allegations and transfer to Support Services occurred in 2024.

“I was moved to Support Services due to a pending investigation of corruption ... It is signed by General Senona, dated 2024-02-13.”

Warrant Officer Sander denies engaging with General Senona while at Support Services.

“I do not engage with General Senona, Commissioner.”

Brigadier Nyuswa was also in the office where Warrant Officer Sander worked at Support Services.

“That is correct, Commissioner.”

Brigadier Nyuswa called Warrant Officer Sander to inform him he was being moved back to his old office but was not allowed to work narcotics cases.

“I was called to Brigadier Nyuswa's office. He was told I am going back to my old office, but I was being moved. I was not allowed to work narcotics.”

Warrant Officer Sander claims that Colonel Jama, acting on behalf of General Senona, served a notice to suspend all his salaries and incomes, which he challenged but never received a response.

“Colonel Jama was acting on behalf of General Senona. She served the notice to suspend all my salaries and my incomes, and I challenged it. To that, I never received a response.”

Brigadier Nyuswa told Warrant Officer Sander verbally that he was going back to operational space but was not allowed to work narcotics.

“I did get the verbal response of Brigadier Nyuswa telling me that I am going back to operational space. But I was told I was not allowed to work narcotics.”

Warrant Officer Sander states that a 'scares skills allowance' of R 1,000.00 is important to him financially and was never suspended despite a notice to suspend it.

“It is R 1,000.00. I have been receiving it since its inception, and I work for it. It is mine. ... It was never touched, Commissioner. Maybe the correct wording is, it was a notification to suspend your allowance. ... They never touched it. I still receive it as we speak, Commissioner.”

Warrant Officer Sander was moved to Support Services in February 2024 and then to Economic Protected Resources in August 2025, where he works on various investigations including human trafficking and poaching.

“So you were moved to Support Services in February of 2024. ... And when do you then move out of Support Services? ... 2025/08, in August. ... Economic Protected Resources. ... I am busy with human trafficking investigations. I am busy with quite a few investigations to non-ferrous syndicates, fuel pipelines, infrastructure damage. I have got a wildlife one at the moment with people poaching out at sea.”

Warrant Officer Sander was verbally told that he would not go back to narcotics work but was not given any reason why.

“And they moved you verbally, they said that you would not go back to narcotics. ... Correct. ... Were you given a reason as to why not? ... No.”

Warrant Officer Sander believes he was removed in February 2023 because he was perceived as "standing on their toes" for being very successful and understanding how the syndicate works and the different role players in the environment.

“I think I was standing on their toes. ... Maybe being too successful, too many good recoveries. Understanding how the syndicate works. Understanding who the different role players in the environment were.”

Warrant Officer Sander alleges management did not like his corruption investigation involving theft of exhibits, missing exhibits, and missing dockets, resulting in him applying unsuccessfully for transfer to Durban Central charge office.

“Prior to me being moved, this investigation of the corruption, myself and my immediate Commander were not seeing eye to eye due to, let us just say, there was allegations of theft of exhibits, exhibits going missing, dockets going missing. ... I filed a complaint like that. ... And I do not think management took like to that. That would have been the start. I then applied for a transfer from the DPCI to Organised Crime at the provincial head office ... I applied to go as an Investigator at Durban Central ... that application was changed to Durban Central charge office and the transfer was approved not to, so remember the question is being asked now, do you have scarce skills? Yes. Are you an Investigator? Yes. ...”

Warrant Officer Sander claims he was advised by provincial HR at Durban Central to just sit in his office and leave the matter of 'fighting big people' alone, leading him to cancel his transfer and remain at SCM.

“When I went to the HR at our provincial office, I was told, rather just go sit in your office, drink your coffee, you are now fighting big people, leave it. And I took that advice. You comply. But I cancelled my transfer and I stayed at SCM until where I am today.”

Warrant Officer Sander filed a detailed complaint about missing dockets and exhibits prior to being moved out of his unit.

“This complaint is very specific, Commissioner. ... It is prior to this happening.”

Warrant Officer Sander asserts that disrupting the drug syndicate's supply chain means standing on their toes, which causes them to retaliate.

“If I hit their runners, I am standing on their toes. If I take their drugs away at the wholesale division, that is costing them a lot of money.”

Warrant Officer Sander believes a corrupt policeman and customs official are necessary to keep the drug supply chain functioning properly.

“For the supply chain to work correctly, you need a corrupt policeman there. You need a corrupt customs official, you need a corrupt policeman. Then your system flows.”

Warrant Officer Sander believes SAPS instituted a disciplinary process against him because he was disrupting drug dealing activities.

“So, your belief is that SAPS instituted a disciplinary process against you because you were disruptive of the drug dealing.”

Warrant Officer Sander claims to have found large quantities of drugs (up to 200 kilos at a time) in storage depots and in shipments at sea before arriving in Durban.

“I was finding aton, 200 kilos, 00 kilos. 30 kilos at a time. I was finding it in a ship out at sea before it even came to Durban. I was finding it hidden somewhere.”

Warrant Officer Sander says he did not share his investigative techniques and technology with his colleagues, which caused suspicions.

“Maybe just the way I worked, I did not share that with them. So, they become suspicious of my techniques and my technology.”

Warrant Officer Sander was asked to undergo a polygraph test for the theft of his own coffee machine, which he denied stealing.

“I had to get polygraphed because of the theft of my own coffee machine.”

General Senona accused Warrant Officer Sander of theft of items, including his coffee machine, leading to a polygraph test.

“General Senona. There were other items that were going missing in the environment. And, again, I was seen as a suspect and I had to go and get polygraphed for the theft of my own coffee machine.”

Warrant Officer Sander has been moved to support services due to serious corruption allegations but was not formally notified of the charges.

“You have been moved there because of serious corrupt allegations, which you were not given formal notification of what they entailed.”

Warrant Officer Sander claims that despite being accused of corruption, he managed the DPCI armory and passed an audit with clean results from the Auditor General.

“Let us just say my office I had a vault full of fully automatic weapons at my disposal...I took over the armoury for the DPCI....We got a clean audit from the Auditor General for all our weapons and ammunition....If I was corrupt, I would not sell drugs, I would sell guns.”

Warrant Officer Sander describes work at support services as isolating and likened it to being in prison.

“In that position you described it as being in prison.”

Warrant Officer Sander reports working outdoors with strict time controls and limited freedom, finding only his coffee machine as a personal safe space before it was stolen.

“I work outside. You clock in through a checkpoint in the morning. You clock out at a checkpoint. There is no time. You cannot go out at a certain time. My only safe space was my coffee machine. And then they stole my coffee machine inside the DPCI.”

Warrant Officer Sander reports investigating high-profile cases involving wildlife crimes, human trafficking to Cambodia, and illegal poaching.

“I am dealing with some pretty high-profile cases....I have human trafficking with people going to Cambodia that were trafficked, nearly 200 and something people.”

Warrant Officer Sander states he cannot return to narcotics work but would love to.

“I would love to go back, but I cannot.”

Warrant Officer Sander reports he is satisfied working in the anti-human trafficking division and reports to Colonel Jacob.

“I am happy. It is a nice group to work with. We are actually doing very well.... I still report to Colonel Jacob.”

Warrant Officer Sander has been a warrant officer since 2003.

“How long have you been a warrant officer? 2003.”

Warrant Officer Sander denied knowing the source of an email sent to head office that was used to wave allegations against him.

“N o n e o f a n y o f y o u r s t a t e m e n t s r i g h t n o w . T h e a n s w e r i s n o , n o , n o , n o , n o , n o , n o .”

There was an email to General regarding allegations but Warrant Officer Sander did not see it and could not confirm its contents or source.

“T h e G e n e r a l h a d a n e m a i l ,”

Warrant Officer Sander stated that a circulated email concerning allegations against him could have been false.

“I t c o u l d a l s o b e a f a l s e e m a i l .”

Warrant Officer Sander denied the allegations against him as false.

“B u t , C o m m i s s i o n e r , f r o m my s i d e , i f I m a y , i t i s f a l s e .”

Warrant Officer Sander was called by Colonel Jacob for his exit interview related to early retirement and to talk about cases and convictions.

“I w a s c a l l e d b y C o l o n e l J a c o b . N o , I w a s n o t c a l l e d b y h i m . I t w a s - m y o f f i c e i s r i g h t b e l o w h i s o f f i c e . I a m a p p l y i n g f o r e a r l y r e t i r e m e n t , a n d m y e x i t i n t e r v i e w a n d m y p a p e r w o r k h a s t o b e d o n e b y C o l o n e l J a c o b .”

Colonel Jacob wanted to prepare a statement to be signed by Warrant Officer Sander regarding a seizure rebutting a statement made by General Flynn.

“H e s a i d t o m e h e w o u l d b e e n a p p r o a c h e d , a n d h e h a d t o g i v e a s t a t e m e n t f o r M a d l a n g a . H e w a n t e d j u s t t o c o n f i r m a v e r s i o n o f h i s r e g a r d i n g a s e i z u r e t h a t I h a d m a d e a t C H C .”

Warrant Officer Sander was unhappy with the draft statement prepared by Colonel Jacob and requested edits before signing it.

“H e r e a d i t a t f i r s t . I w a s n o t h a p p y w i t h w h a t h e w o u l d w r i t t e n , a n d I s a i d t o h i m h e n e e d e d t o e d i t a fe w t h i n g s .”

Warrant Officer Sander applied for early retirement due to work-related reasons and is accepting it despite having 40 years' service and not expecting promotion.

“I t i s r e l a t e d t o w o r k . ... I w a n t e d 4 2 . I w i l l t a k e 4 0 . I a m n o t g o i n g t o g e t p r o m o t e d .”

Warrant Officer Sander stated that there will be no further promotion in SAPS at his current rank and taking early retirement is logical.

“I w i l l n o t q u a l i f y f o r a n y f u r t h e r p r o m o t i o n i n t h e S A P S a t m y c u r r e n t r a n k . ... T h e r e a r e q u i t e a f e w o t h e r f e l l o w m e m b e r s t h a t w e a r e a l l a p p l y i n g t o l e a v e .”

Warrant Officer Sander has over 40 years' experience in narcotics-related police work and is known as one of the 'golden diamond people' in Durban KZN specialising in evaluation of diamonds, gold, and platinum.

“h e r a n d h e r s i s t e r a r e t w i n s , s h e i s t h e c o l o n e l m a s t e r , a n d m y c u r r e n t p a r t n e r i s o n e o f t h e o l d g o l d e n d i a m o n d p e o p l e . ... T h a t v a c u u m , t h a t s p a c e c a n n e v e r b e f i l l e d .”

Warrant Officer Sander stated that early retirement applications are subject to SAPS management approval and questioned how 40 years of skills can be transferred in 2 months.

“T h a t i s i m p o s s i b l e . F o r t y y e a r s o f s k i l l s , h o w d o y o u t r a n s f e r i t i n 2 m o n t h s ?”

Warrant Officer Sander led an operation on 5 February 2020 at CHC Container Depot, Isipingo, where approximately 570 kilograms of suspected Mandrax and Mandrax powder were seized.

“O n 2 0 2 0 - 0 2 - 0 5 , I h e a d e d a n o p e r a t i o n a t C H C C o n t a i n e r D e p o t i n I s i p i n g o . ... r e f e r s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 7 0 k i l o g r a m s o f s u s p e c t e d M a n d r a x a n d M a n d r a x p o w d e r w a s s e i z e d d u r i n g t h i s o p e r a t i o n .”

Warrant Officer Sander had no prior disciplinary action or complaints against him before allegations led to his removal.

“B e f o r e t h i s s i t u a t i o n w h e r e y o u a r e t o l d t h e r e a r e a l l e g a t i o n s a g a i n s t y o u a n d y o u g e t r e m o v e d , h a d y o u h a d p r i o r c a s e s o f d i s c i p l i n a r y a c t i o n a g a i n s t y o u ? ... N o . ... N o t . ... N o .”

In the operation to seize Mandrax exhibits, store clerk Warrant Officer Perumal initially refused to store the exhibits but eventually agreed to store them in the armoury with the help of Captain Beavon and Constable Ronnie.

“H e e v e n t u a l l y a g r e e d t o a c c o m m o d a t e u s b y s t o r i n g t h e e x h i b i t s i n t h e a r m o u r y i n t h e c h a r g e o f f i c e . C a p t a i n B e a v o n a n d C o n s t a b l e R o n n i e a s s i s t e d m e t o m o v e t h e f i r e a r m s a r o u n d t o a c c o m m o d a t e t h e s e e x h i b i t s .”

Warrant Officer Sander booked exhibits into SAP 13 register via Isipingo SAP and noted members were making sick due to the exhibits.

“He made it clear that these exhibits were to be booked out the following day. He indicated that they did not have members to guard these exhibits. I booked these exhibits into SAP 13 register via Isipingo SAP 13163/2020. On the following day, the date as I mentioned is incorrect, it is 02-06. Someone from my office called me to inform me that Isipingo SAP called, indicating that the exhibits were making the members sick. I proceeded to Isipingo SAP with a team. I noticed the charge office members were outside the building. I did then book out the exhibits for analysis with Warrant Officer Perumal countersigning the SAP 13 register to acknowledge the same.”

The substance causing members to get sick from the exhibits was Methaqualone, the active ingredient of Mandrax, emitting toxic vapour causing members to get sick and feel nauseous.

“Commissioner, it is Methaqualone. So, the active ingredient of Mandrax is Methaqualone. But some people will tell you it is the Anthranilic acid that actually gives off the vapour that is so toxic. It is not a pleasant smell, Commissioner. ... The smell is what we are talking about here. So that is what makes you sick. It makes you nauseous. It can give you heart palpitations. ... They did get sick. And that is, it is true, you do get sick.”

The storage facilities at Pretoria Forensic Science Laboratory are chaotic and expose workers to hazards, making them unsuitable for storing drugs like Methaqualone.

“I myself have been deep into the big vault. I have been there I have seen it. It is chaos. It is chaos. The problem is working in that chaos is exactly the question the Commissioner is asking now, do the people that work there be exposed to hazards? The answer is yes.”

The SAPS do not have suitable storage facilities for drugs like Methaqualone that would avoid the hazards described.

“If I answer this question honestly, I will get fired today. I will say no. The correct place where to store it would be something like Pretoria Forensic Science Laboratory. I am not going to mention the other locations.”

If suitable storage was available at Isipingo, the seized 541 kg of Mandrax could have been stored there, avoiding health issues caused by improper storage.

“Yes.”

Warrant Officer Sander was made a suspect by General Senona in connection with the Port Shepstone theft and was polygraphed, although he was never at the Port Shepstone office or involved in the theft.

“I was a suspect. I was called in I was polygraphed for it. I was never there. That is all I know about the Port Shepstone matter.”

Warrant Officer Sander did not work at the Port Shepstone office during the period after November when the theft happened, nor was he based there at any time.

“No, Commissioner. Never been there, Commissioner, until I was working at SEM.”

Warrant Officer Sander was not aware that the stolen drugs had been taken to a specific storage location and had no knowledge of where they had been stored.

“No. Thank you, Commissioner. No, I had no knowledge of that, Commissioner. I did not even know it was there, Commissioner.”

Warrant Officer Sander's name does not appear on the list of members tested as deceptive in the polygraph reports, and he was not informed of the results of his polygraph due to an examiner error resulting in no opinion being recorded.

“your name does not appear there ... again, you were not informed of the results of the polygraph ... no opinion was recorded for the following members due to examiner error, and your name is the second name there”

Warrant Officer Sander confirms he was on leave both when the seizure of exhibits occurred and when a housebreaking and theft incident took place, and was not present at either scene.

“I was on leave when the seizure was made ... I might have also still been on leave ... when the housebreaking took place, the theft ... I was never at either of those scenes”

After returning from leave, the entire office of Warrant Officer Sander was called in and paraded in the boardroom where members from Serious and Violent Crimes and other sections were given instructions related to polygraph testing.

“Our whole office was called in and we were paraded ... We were in the boardroom ... members from the Serious and Violent Crimes ... plus other sections”

Colonel Jacob believed statements made before the Madlanga Commission about an operation in 2020 were incorrect and required rebuttal; therefore, Warrant Officer Sander was asked to provide a statement to corroborate the existence of an issue at Isipingo Police Station.

“The Colonel was of the opinion that statements made before the Madlanga Commission were incorrect ... he needed to further explain ... corroborate the fact that there was an issue at Isipingo Police Station”

Despite the request, Warrant Officer Sander states that the version he was required to support about the 2022 incident at Isipingo Police Station actually makes the situation look worse, but he complied with the request to provide a supporting statement.

“I am still of the opinion that it does not support him. It actually makes it look worse. But ... that is what has been requested of me. I have complied.”

On the day in question of the February 2020 bust, Warrant Officer Sander was contacted by a senior colleague from the SARS customs narcotics section about irregularities involving Mandrax being moved at the CHC Depot and he asked Metro Police Captain Greg Beavon for assistance.

“One of their seniors phoned me and he said he has got an issue ... there was an amount of Mandrax found at CHC Depot ... irregularities ... I called a colleague from the Metro Police, Captain Greg Beavon ... can you help me?”

At the CHC Depot, there is access control and containers related to drug busts are located at the back; Warrant Officer Sander is familiar with the layout having worked there before.

“We check in at the main gate ... there is access control at Isipingo going into CHC depot ... we get directed to the back ... I have worked there before, so I know the layout pretty well.”

The CHC Depot is the same depot where a large cocaine seizure of 541 kg occurred, linking the site to significant drug-related criminality.

“CHC depot is the same depot where the 541 kg of Cocaine was found”

Warrant Officer Sander's vehicle was a VW Caddy modified with a mobile crime scene lab equipped with PPE, bags, and even a coffee machine to allow working on scenes for hours without leaving.

“My vehicle was a VW Caddy. I have a mobile crime scene lab in the back of my vehicle. I have got PPE, bags, you name it. I do not have to leave. I have even got a coffee machine in there.”

The mobile crime scene lab equipment must be operationally health and safety compliant, including PPE, hard hat, reflective equipment, gloves, and Covid compliance.

“PPE, personal protective kit, hard hat and reflective equipment, which you must have in that working environment. It is an operational health and safety compliant facility... and if I am correct, at that stage was COVID. So, we had to be COVID compliant as well.”

Warrant Officer Sander keeps a store of various sizes of exhibit bags at their office, including large black skips used for bulky exhibits, and sometimes obtains additional bags from other police stations when required.

“Those came from our own office...We have got lots. We have a storeroom on our third floor. It is packed... there have been scenes where there were possibly bags that did not fit or some of these things we get from government tender, they do not work. So, the seals do not seal. So, I would be able to make the necessary phone calls... we are going to take all their stock and we just bring it to our scene and we work from there.”

Warrant Officer Sander received various special equipment such as different gloves from FSL, tar mac suits from Pretoria, and neck tests from American sources as part of joint SAPS DEA training.

“I can say I have gone to FSL, they have given me different gloves. I have gone to Pretoria they have given me tarmac suits. Neck tests we would get from the Americans... And I believe I do that in my work.”

On arriving at a customs depot, Warrant Officer Sander found a box with a torn customs sticker containing Mandrax tablets, identified by smell and visual markings, and was informed that a narcotics dog detected the narcotics in the box.

“I could see it straight away. It was Mandrax... I could smell it, because the bag had been torn... They said they had put a narcotics dog in... Tequila reacted therein seconds. It was positive...”

Discovered packing tape discrepancies in the bonded warehouse shipment led to finding additional boxes containing Mandrax, which were seized by police and processed with cooperation from the warehouse.

“I noticed on the box the packing tape in the shipment was different to the packing tape on the other side of the yard... I said, there is our boxes... And we did... and believe it or not, that is where the Mandrax was. So, we seized those boxes amongst that...”

Warrant Officer Sander says he calls the FSL and LCRC because he has a relationship with the clan lab team and they come out if it is worthwhile in seizures.

“I always do. I have got a relationship with the clan lab team. I will call them. They will not come out. It is a seizure. But if I find something and they know it is worthwhile coming out, they came out.”

Warrant Officer Sander is required to call LCRC to a crime scene and explains their role in photographing and fingerprinting for court evidence.

“you are required to call them to a scene”

LCRC's role includes photographing the crime scene to preserve evidence digitally and taking fingerprints and DNA to preserve and record the crime scene for court.

“With modern technology, a photograph becomes a museum of the crime scene... It can not move without being manly handled. So by him touching it, he would leave a latent fingerprint on the scene, which we need. And at the same time, he would also leave part of his DNA behind, which we also takes swabs for. So it is DNA, it is fingerprints, and it is crime scene preservation and recording for court.”

In some circumstances it is not possible to get LCRC to come out, for example 16 nautical miles out at sea where a shipment of cocaine was hidden in a fridge, which is a hazardous environment and they are not qualified or prepared.

“I was asked about a scene where fingerprints could not come out. 16 nautical mile out at sea, we removed a shipment of Cocaine out of a fridge... The fingerprint guys and the FSL guys are not qualified to go out to sea. They are not prepared to go and put their lives at stake and go 16 nautical miles out to sea... It is a hazardous environment.”

Photographs and notes are crucial to record and corroborate evidence and help with witness statements and identification in court.

“Otherwise, you will never keep up to what is happening... So it is nice to keep those notes.”

LCRC was not called out to two seizures involving the Polonia vessels and Manu Chao seizure, but they were called to the others.

“From the aforementioned, I was able to ascertain that unlike the June 2021 seizure: 1. LCRC was called to the scene... except the second Polonia vessel seizure and the Manu Chao seizure.”