Driver

The driver of the container found with drugs drove from Durban to Johannesburg without stopping at weighbridges, with an unlikely timeline indicating possible misconduct or negligence.

“The driver of the container that was found with drugs drove from Durban to Johannesburg without stopping at the weighbridges . The driver took the container at the harbour at about 13:30 and arrived at his company in Johannesburg at about 20:00 , which is highly unlikely for the truck .”

The police arrested Jolene Koekemoer Wentzel for receiving the drugs, the driver for transporting, and Cornelius for ownership of the drugs, and intended to bring them to the nearest police station.

“He was arresting her for receiving the goods, the driver for transporting the goods, and Cornelius because the goods belonged to him. He said he was taking them to the nearest police station”

It was improper for police to decide on the spot that the bags falling out of the container were drugs and to arrest the driver and manager based on smell rather than proper procedure.

“containers fall out, bags fall out ... somebody already decides based on how the bags smell that these are drugs and arresting the driver and arresting the manager ... that was improper”

The arrest of the driver was premature as the driver did not know about the contents of the container, supporting that no arrest should have taken place that day.

“when I interviewed the driver, it was clear that the driver did not know about what was in the container ... no one was supposed to have been arrested”

The investigation does not start and end on the day of the arrests; it is an ongoing process, and arrests can happen at later stages once drugs are confirmed.

“the investigation does not start and end on the 9th of July ... once it was determined that these were drugs, then the investigation would go back to the driver and the warehouse manager and all those people ... then they become suspects and can be arrested”

The truck at Aeroton suspected to be hijacked was actually being escorted by police and was not hijacked; drugs were found inside the truck and the driver will be arrested; only one suspect was identified.

“at that complaint, Aeroton truck hijacking, the truck was not hijacked. The truck was being escorted by the police. They suspected that there was something wrong under the truck and the truck was open and found drugs inside. The driver will be arrested. There is only one suspect.”

Warrant Officer Phakula highlighted three questionable issues: it was easier for others to get CCTV footage, the Dog Unit was not used to assist the investigation, and the driver was released which affected the investigation.

“One ... it was easier for them to get the CCTV footage ... The Dog Unit ... could have used it... And also the release of the driver, most importantly the driver. Those are three that I can point at”

Major General Khan disarmed Chief Mashaba and Lieutenant Colonel Maluleka saw a whimpering driver under arrest walking away from the crime scene.

“He disarmed Chief Mashaba. Lieutenant Colonel Maluleka saw a whimpering walking with the driver away from the crime scene, the driver who was placed under arrest.”

Warrant Officer Phakula says the driver of the vehicle used to transport the drugs was arrested but not handcuffed because he was supposed to drive the vehicle to the pound.

“the driver was arrested, was not handcuffed, because he was supposed to drive the truck to the pound”

Ms Wentzel denied knowledge of the black bags suspected to be carrying drugs while expecting a truck cap from Brazil; driver Mr Brightman Vusi Mthembu also denied knowledge of the bags. These individuals along with warehouse supervisor and receiver were arrested for dealing in drugs possession.

“Ms Wentzel confirmed that they were expecting a truck cap from Brazil, but denied any knowledge of the black bags, which were suspected to be carrying drugs. We also interviewed the driver, Mr Brightman Vusi Mthembu, and he also denied any knowledge about those bags. It was 23 large bags of suspected Cocaine. We then placed the driver of the truck, the Warehouse Supervisor, Ms Wentzel, and the Warehouse Receiver, Mr Cornelius, under arrest for dealing in drugs possession...”

The radio communication included a report about a truck hijacking at Aeroton involving drugs found inside the truck, which was escorted by police, and only one suspect was involved; the driver was to be arrested but was later not arrested.

“'Bravo Sierra 12 said yes. Bravo Sierra 2 at that complaint Aeroton truck hijacking. The truck was not hijacked. The truck was being escorted by police. They suspected that there was something wrong under the truck and that the truck was opened and found drugs inside the truck. The driver will be arrested. There is only one suspect.' The driver of the truck was not arrested as we came to learn, is that not so? That is correct, Commissioner.”

Normally, the driver of the truck with drugs would not be arrested under such circumstances but would first be questioned to determine involvement in transporting drugs.

“Would the driver of the truck be arrested normally under these circumstances? No necessarily. One would first have a look at what role he played, if any, in terms of the transportation of these drugs. But I think that report, if I read through the report, seemingly Bravo Sierra 12 had the interview with these people that were following the truck from Roodekop to Aeroton... They mean the deduction I am making, it would be Traffic Officer Mashaba.”

The driver of the truck was questioned, and there should be a statement from him in the docket.

“Was the driver questioned? To my knowledge, yes, he was. There should be a statement from him in the docket as well.”

Between Dec 2024 to June 2025, Sergeant Nkosi assisted Mr Mnisi by recommending the services of a driver; there was no quick procurement involved and Mnisi paid the driver himself.

“Further, I do state for the record that during the period of December 2024 to about June 2025, he assisted me by recommending the services of a driver. There was no quick procure involved. He merely assisted a friend in need, and I paid the driver for the services he was providing to me.”