Jolene

Police placed a driver named Vusi Mthembu and a manager named Jolene under arrest for possession of drugs found in the truck container.

“I then informed both Jolene and the driver, Vusi Mthembu, that I was placing them under arrest for possession of drugs.”

Police officers at Aeroton escorted the truck driver and searched the container without his presence; the truck driver was told he was under arrest for transporting drugs but was not aware of the contents inside.

“He was escorted by the police to Aeroton and on arrival the container was received by Jolene , who asked him to put the container at the bay . He did not see who opened the container . When he alerted from the truck , he noticed the black bags being loaded from the container into the Nissan MP300 . At all , a guy who identified himself as a police officer informed him that he was under arrest for transporting drugs . He tried to explain to the police officer that he did not know what was inside the container .”

Jolene, who was involved in receiving the goods, would typically check the container to confirm contents and seal integrity, or open the container; there was uncertainty about whether she would have feigned surprise if drugs were present.

“Jolene was the one who was going to receive the goods ... she checked everything that is inside the container to confirm ... or is it an issue of her checking the seal to confirm that the seal is intact ... If Jolene was aware that there were drugs in there, she would have feigned surprise, would she not?”

Lt-Col Sebola kept in contact with Colonel Jacobs, who took over SANEB, but they did not engage extensively; he only contacted an analyst to check communications between Mashaba and Jolene or others in that company.

“I kept in contact with Colonel Jacobs... with him we did not engage, but I was only contacting the analyst to say... if maybe you have tracks of any communication between Mashaba and Jolene or somebody there.”

Lt-Col Sebola cannot confirm if the communications between Mashaba and Jolene have been checked, stating the matter is now subject of investigation and dockets are being directed accordingly.

“J a , b e c a u s e n o w i t i s t h e s u b j e c t o f investigation , but it seems there is direction.”

Police members who arrived in uniform did not inquire about the situation but stood with Scania employees and gave instructions themselves, which was improper conduct.

“Instead of coming to us and enquire what was happening , those members went and stood with employees of Scania . I requested Jolene to make copies of the way bill . ... a certain gentleman came and instructed the two Booysens police members to write their statements as he was now taking over the scene . I asked the gentleman who he was and that he should introduce himself as he already knew who I was . That member did not want to give his name and I told him that is not procedural to walk in a crime scene and start giving instructions . He said he is not going to listen to me and that General Khan was on his way”