LCRC

The Unit Commander reports operational crime scene handling to the Provincial Commander, a Brigadier, who then reports to the General, who reviews and authorizes reports after seeking clarity if needed. Members of the DPCI undergo training in crime scene processing under a curriculum called Resolving of Crime Course, which includes necessary protocols such as cordoning off crime scenes and calling the LCRC.

“The Unit Commander will report, provide reports to the Provincial Commander, who is a level of a Brigadier. A Brigadier will read once he is happy, he reports to me. I receive reports. I will read it. If I need clarity seeking questions, I will send it back. They will rectify and then I sign it. So part of this, I saw that during those years, in terms of processing the crime scenes, we know the crime scene must be cordoned off and you must call the LCRC and all those kind of stuff. It is something that is in the curriculum of the current course that is called Resolving of Crime Course. All the members of the DPCI underwent that type of training.”

Photos on Tumelo Nku's official photo album from LCRC show he took photos close to the Yellow Jersey Logistics truck found at the crime scene, contradicting witness Magane's claim that Nku was 300 meters away from the truck.

“One of the witnesses, Magane, said Nku was never close to the truck . He was 300 metres away ... Looking at the photo on page 25 and 26, it suggests that he was very close to the truck when he was taking these photos ... the photos ... extracted from the photo album the official photo album from LCRC”

Summary of allegations regarding an incident on 8 and 9 July 2021 involving Chief Mashaba receiving information on suspected drugs, assistance in escorting the truck, discovery of drugs, arrest of driver and recipient, involvement of Dog Unit, LCRC, Hawks, and later arrest and charge of Chief Mashaba and others for drug dealing.

“It is alleged that on Thursday, 8 July 2021, Chief Mashaba received an information about the suspected drugs that were to be transported from Durban to Alberton. The following day, on the 9th of July 2021, the information was followed and Chief Mashaba asked for assistance and he was assisted by Warrant Officer Magane and Warrant Officer Phakula. The truck was then escorted to the destination at Aeroton where the container was opened at the receiving bay. While searching the container, the drugs were found. The driver of the truck and the person who were to receive the cargo were placed under arrest. The Dog Unit and the LCRC were summoned at the scene while still compiling the docket. While compiling the docket, the Hawks member arrived at the scene. Chief Mashaba and members who recovered the drugs were later arrested as per Booysen CAS 8/07/2021 and charged for dealing in drugs. The driver of the truck and the person who was to receive the cargo were then released. The Hawks members found the Booysens Police who attended to a complaint and have given their feedback indicating all was in order and that the police have recovered the drugs and the suspects were arrested.”

One brick of evidence was recovered by LCRC and handed over to DPCI, and there is criticism that members did not fully explore and receive all exhibits, categorized as human error.

“One brick that was recovered later is dealt with... the criticism there is that it indicates members did not fully explore and receive all exhibits. It is categorized as a human error in her view.”

One brick of evidence was recovered by LCRC and sent to FSL by Captain Nortje, but there was an issue of how it was missed initially.

“one brick that was recovered by LCRC. Do you know what happened with that one brick? ... called to come and collect that brick and he sent it to FSL”

The LCRC (Law Crime Reaction Command) should have been called at the beginning before the bags were loaded onto Warrant Officer Magane's van.

“the LCRC was called ... right at the beginning , before the bags were loaded onto Warrant Officer Magane ' s van”

The LCRC was eventually called to the crime scene by Magane with assistance from the Booysen police, but by that time the crime scene was contaminated because the drugs had already been taken from the container into the bakkie (vehicle).

“the LCRC person was called ... The only challenge was that they have already contaminated the scene by taking the drugs from the container into the bakkie”

There was suspicion about the conduct of officers transferring drugs from the container to an unmarked van without the presence of LCRC or a dog, which contradicted protocols of crime scene management.

“it seems obviously deeply suspicious that police officers would come in an unmarked van and then transfer the drugs from a container , when you know there are protocols about crime scene management”

The fact that the drugs had been handled and loaded onto Warrant Officer Magane's van before the LCRC arrived was a serious problem resulting in contamination and possible defeat of the ends of justice.

“they had already loaded these bags onto Warrant Officer Magane ' s van ... contamination of the scene”

The whole problem at Isipingo arose because the LCRC was not called to the scene to begin with.

“Is it fair to say that this whole problem that arose at Isipingo was because LCRC was not called to the scene to begin with?”

Colonel Jacob admits he did not call LCRC to the CHC Depot scene nor the Isipingo scene, though protocol requires them to be called for such scenes.

“Yes, that is correct, Commissioner. Yes, I am aware, Commissioner. Yes, I did, Commissioner.”

Colonel Jacob states the reason for not calling LCRC was that they only take fingerprints and photos of the scene, which he did not seem to regard as necessary.

“And I think the reason you gave for that decision was that they will take fingerprints and all you ever get are pictures of the scene.”

Colonel Jacob confirms that in every case of this nature they have had, no fingerprint or DNA results were received from LCRC.

“Out of every single case of this nature that we have had, we have received nothing, as in zero, in terms of fingerprints and DNA.”

Colonel Jacob considers that it depends on the scene whether LCRC should be called, and it's not a blanket requirement.

“I cannot make a blanket statement that we do not require LCRC. Once again, I will say where you have got hidden compartments... that can objectively be linked to that drug and the suspect.”

Adv Baloyi argues that the failure to call LCRC undermines Colonel Jacob's justification, as fingerprints and DNA should be obtained to prevent contamination and properly link evidence to suspects.

“So, what you have just said undermines your explanation or your justification why we should make nothing of the fact that you did not call the LCRC because you thought, well, anyway, we never get results.”

Adv Baloyi suggests that there is no point in requiring LCRC presence because they never get results, implying the regulation might be pointless.

“You either suggest with your justification as suggesting there is no point in having this requirement for these kinds of seizures... that logical thing must be, well, then there is no point in having this requirement.”

Adv Baloyi raises concern that not calling LCRC risks contaminating evidence and denying the chance to properly link material to suspects, emphasizing the importance of the protocol.

“Which is to contaminate those packages or to prevent the LCRC, deny them a chance completely to uplift any material that may ultimately or possibly be linked eventually.”

The LCRC attended to the scene of a 99kg seizure and discharged their duty to uplift DNA and fingerprints.

“When there was that 99kg seizure, LCRC attended to the scene and discharged his duty to uplift any DNA and fingerprints”

Containers with seized drugs arriving in Johannesburg or Durban are sealed and assumed sealed at point of origin, impairing local fingerprint matching as suspects are outside the local database.

“That container is sealed and it is assumed that it was sealed at point of origin... if LCRC uplifts any prints, they will not be able to match to anyone in our database because these are people out in Brazil.”

Despite the value of photographs taken by LCRC for reports and legal cases, there is a tendency to disregard their importance if fingerprint results are not forthcoming.

“Somehow you choose to undermine such a key one simply because you, Colonel, Jacob, do not get back results from LCRC... And you appreciate it at the time, but because they do not give you fingerprints, once again you decide that you are not going to waste your time with them.”

The decision not to call LCRC to crime scenes, despite national instructions mandating their presence, is made at the discretion of investigating officers, which may be abused for improper reasons.

“Sometimes it lends itself to abuse where maybe members or corrupt members have underhanded or ulterior motives and may not call out LCRC for improper reasons.”

According to national prescription and instruction, the LCRC must be present at crime scenes and the decision not to call them is not the prerogative of officers based on past disappointments.

“If the requirements in the national prescripts or National Instruction is that LCRC must be there... then it is not your call to make based on previous disappointment that because they disappointed me in the past, I am going to decide not to call them.”

Colonel Jacob agrees national instructions are binding and any discretion at crime scenes should no longer be exercised to not call LCRC.

“So that discretionary or the discretion that we exercise at these scenes, I think we no longer can call it any discretion that we are exercising. We should not and we will not be doing that.”

Absence of LCRC and their report at the depot meant reliance on verbal accounts rather than photographic evidence for what was found during seizure.

“the absence of the LCRC and therefore the absence of the report that they would have prepared, which would have to told us what was out of the container immediately at the depot, their absence there, in fact, has the consequence that we have your word, and when I say your word, I mean the other police officers as well, only their words about what was found”

No photographs or official records were available from the depot, so what was found relies on the word of police officers.

“there are no photographs, for example, that show – in fact, had the LCRC been there from other evidence, you would have done the count there, you would have done the sealing there, and there would have been photographs of that. So as we sit here, we have only your word and the other officers' as to what, in fact, was found”

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”

It was optimal to perform the search and work the crime scene at the container location rather than moving containers due to risks like tampering with fingerprints and DNA evidence.

“You accept that the optimal way to perform the search and work the crime scene was to do that at location?... There should be no tampering with fingerprints and DNA before the LCRCs checked them wherever possible... There are practical considerations for that... It is important for the LCRC to check for DNA and fingerprints on location...”

Colonel Jacob accepts that it was important to have the LCRC check for DNA and fingerprints before handling exhibits.

“You accept it is important for the LCRC to check for DNA and fingerprints on location...”

Colonel Jacob admits he did not call the LCRC to attend the scene and did not request them to be present during the operation on 22-23 June 2022.

“So now you accept that you did not call LCRC... You say in paragraph 7 of your statement on 23rd June 2022 : "I did not request LCRC to attend the scene."...”

Colonel Jacob decided not to allow the ordinary process of having the LCRC come to the scene and do their work before handling seized goods.

“I am taking my own decision and I am not going to allow the ordinary and ordinarily applicable process of having the LCRC to come to the scene and do their work before I handle these goods.”

Colonel Jacob admits he made the decision not to call the LCRC to the scene despite instructions indicating they should be called.

“At the scene , yes , I made a decision not to call them , Commissioner.”

Colonel Jacob admits that the decision not to call the LCRC to the scene was a breach of instruction.

“So you acted in breach of the – you made the decision to act in breach of the instruction that says you should call the LCRC . You are correct .”

Colonel Jacob states that no arrests have been made in South Africa for rip-on rip-off cases due to the difficulty of linking investigations to suspects without credible intelligence and forensic results.

“Investigations of this nature is difficult to link to a suspect. I am not aware of any arrests pertaining to a rip-on-rip-off case in KZN nor within South Africa... In the absence of credible intelligence, arrests are non-existent... We have not received any DNA or fingerprint results back from the LCRC.”

On 8 November 2021, Brigadier Nyuswa informed of a theft of drugs at Port Shepstone, and Colonel Jacob was called to the scene with Captain Majola and others.

“On 8 November 2021, I was called by Brigadier Nyuswa, who informed me of the theft of drugs incident at Port Shepstone. I proceeded with Captain Majola to the scene. General Senona and Brigadier Nyuswa arrived a short while later. LCRC was in attendance, and Captain Majola and I canvassed the area for CCTV footage.”

During a drug bust at Maydon Wharfs, the police unpacked bags that were suspected to contain cocaine bricks and conducted fingerprinting and DNA analysis on the evidence.

“At this point LCRC is present, and as we are unpacking, we are starting to catalogue and diarise what we have found... We open one of the bags to establish what the actual contents is... going from a black bag that we suspect to contain Cocaine, going to establish that it contains bricks of suspected Cocaine... now what we are doing is literally opening each bag and decanting the contents of the bag into exhibit bags... fingerprinting... finish the DNA on the bags on the handles.”

Lt-Col Duma confirms that the National Instruction 8/2017 was not followed to the letter at the scene, including that the LCRC was not called and the container was opened without proper sealing.

“while you were present at the scene, and the container was opened ... the prescripts of National Instruction 8/2017 were not observed, whether it was by you or the people you called”

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.”

There was a seizure where Chinese wine tested positive for methamphetamine, and LCRC came out to confirm findings and collection of samples.

“we found there was wine, Chinese wine, but it tested positive for Methamphetamine. So, we were not sure if it was drugs or not. So, they actually came back onto the scene with us to confirm what we had found and how we collected our samples”

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.”

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.”

Warrant Officer Sander did not call LCRC for a seizure about 12 nautical miles out at sea off the coast of Umhlanga Rocks because it was a covert operation involving a small skiboat and bad seas, and they did not know drugs were on board before the search.

“Approx 12 nautical miles out at sea off the coast of Umhlanga Rocks... a small skiboat was used, very quiet, covert operation sent to search the container for drugs... We did not know the drugs were going to be there... So the other thing is we did not call LCRC...”

Warrant Officer Sander explains that once exhibits are brought on land sealed in an exhibit bag, LCRC could take photographs but he chose not to call them at that stage so as not to break the seal.

“They would have taken a photograph of the sealed exhibit bag... I was not going to break the seal on the exhibit bag... So looking back yes I should have possibly called LCRC to the shore...”

After seizure, drugs are bagged, photographed by LCRC, and booked into SAPS SAP13 relevant to the area, specifically Isipingo Police Station.

“WA R R A N T O F F I C E R S A N D E R”

Warrant Officer Sander describes a procedure to process a container seizure, involving briefing crime scene experts, notifying commanders and relevant authorities like LCRC and FSL, and waiting for their arrival before processing the scene.

“We would have notified all our necessary seniors. We would have notified LCRC... I believe I would have called FS... we got stuck in and started processing the scene. We waited for LCRC. We waited for members from Metro Street Crime Unit to arrive on the scene. The members from OR arrived on the scene, and they were told to stay and assist us as well.”

Warrant Officer Sander states that he has authority under the Drug and Drug Trafficking Act to open a container, and when opening the container, security manager, shipping agent, and LCRC representatives are present.

“What do you need and what did you have? The Drug and Drug Trafficking Act, Commissioner... It would have been the security manager from LCS. It would have been the shipping agent as well, my Colonel, myself. And then from this process on, LCRC was present the whole time as well.”

Warrant Officer Woods of LCRC was present for the unloading and opening of bags that contained suspected drug bricks, with photographic documentation done during the process.

“Warrant Officer Woods of LCRC arrived at around 14H00 or so. And in the presence of all four now arrested – in the presence of the arrested, now Captain Nortje, Warrant Officer Morris, and Mashaba started offloading the black sports bag wrapped with black masking tape from the black Nissan. The first bag was unwrapped and the content inside was brick-like. ... He took photographs of those ...”

Warrant Officer Magane called the LCRC after tampering with the bags, which were already in the bakkie, expecting the LCRC to take some action despite the tampering.

“you call the LCRC later when the bags were already in your van, I assume, your bakkie. ... That is correct.”

The LCRC's role was to come and take photos when counting, as per procedure, but they did not perform what they should have done at the beginning before the tampering.

“Actually, we called the LCRC to come and take photos when we count because that is the procedure.”

Warrant Officer Magane admitted that he and others moved black bags containing drugs without gloves, potentially contaminating them with their DNA and fingerprints, which could have made it difficult for the LCRC to properly lift forensic evidence later.

“Definitely, yes, Commissioner. None of us had gloves on. Most possibly. DNA, fingerprints. That is correct. I accept that, but can I also say something?”

Warrant Officer Magane confirmed that the LCRC attends scenes of drug busts and their function includes trying to lift fingerprints and DNA from coverings and bags.

“Do you know, as a matter of fact, that the LCRC attends these scenes and one of their functions is to lift, to try and lift fingerprints and DNA from these coverings and from the bags.”

Warrant Officer Magane accepted that not wearing gloves would have made it difficult for LCRC later to conduct a proper job of lifting fingerprints and DNA from the bags because now it is contaminated with their own DNA and fingerprints.

“And so made it difficult for LCRC later on to conduct a proper job of lifting fingerprints and DNA from those bags, because now it is contaminated with yours. Do you accept that?”

Warrant Officer Magane acknowledged the evidence that LCRC attends such scenes for fingerprint and DNA lifting but initially did not know this himself.

“No, I do not know. I know, Commissioner. Maybe, Commissioner, if I come across such a scene, I will be able to do my best.”

Advocate Baloyi criticizes the poor planning of the operation by Warrant Officer Magane, highlighting failure to call proper law enforcement role players, use of an open bakkie to transport bags of exhibits, and ignorance of cameras at the crime scene.

“It was badly planned. That is why it was such a mess... You did nothing... no LCRC, no TRT to come and escort you... It is about ensuring that these drugs are properly processed... you put these bags in an open bakkie ... You did not know there are cameras at Scania... It is a badly planned thing.”

Advocate Baloyi alleges Warrant Officer Magane and Mashaba were middlemen in a drug consignment operation, did not call any drug enforcement role players, left before processing was complete, and lied about destination to Scania personnel.

“You so happened to be in the middle of it. You and Mashaba happened to be in the middle of it... you have not called a single role player involved with drug enforcement... no LCRC... no Booysens... they surprise you by arriving... You lie to them to say the drugs are going to your station... you lie to say they are going to Alberton... you are being untruthful about this... this whole operation was never... you would have played things by the book if there was intent... you had ulterior motives.”

Warrant Officer Magane failed to call all relevant units like LCRC, SANEB, Dog Unit, Forensic Lab, VISPOL, and Booysens to the crime scene during the drug bust operation.

“You did not call LCRC, you did not call SANEB, you did not call Dog Unit ... You did not try to call the Forensic Lab, you did not call VISPOL, you did not call Booysens, you did not call anyone that is relevant.”

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) could not assist with photographing exhibits at the scene due to skeleton staff from COVID and storage space problems; the LCRC was busy at another scene and arrived late to photograph the scene and the remaining bags handed to them for DNA and fingerprint analysis.

“Forensic Science Laboratory indicated that they were not able to assist as they were running on skeleton staff because of COVID and also had a problem with storage space . LCRC was busy at another scene , arriving a little bit later , and dealt with the photographing of the scene and the exhibits and the ‘leftovers ’ of the black carry bags as well as that was handed to the LCRC member for DNA and fingerprint analysis .”

Due to the lack of storage space and COVID-related staffing shortages, the Forensic Science Laboratory was unable to assist with photographic documentation of the exhibits at the scene, which was managed instead by LCRC arriving late.

“Forensic Science Laboratory indicated that they were not able to assist as they were running on skeleton staff because of COVID and also had a problem with storage space . LCRC was busy at another scene , arriving a little bit later , and dealt with the photographing of the scene and the exhibits ...”

Lt-Col Prinsloo states crime scene reports do not come to the LCRC office but only to the investigating officer.

“So the short answer is those reports do not come to you, the LCRC report. They go to the investigating officer.”

The exhibits at Isipingo police station were already contaminated unless the colleagues handling them wore gloves, and they were not properly photographed, sealed in exhibit seal bags, or entered into the SAP 13 register, causing risk during transport to Port Shepstone.

“the exhibits were already contaminated, unless the colleagues had gloves on ... could still have been photographed properly by LCRC, as well as properly sealed ... and entered into the SAP 13 register ... any thing can happen along the way”

A request to the Forensic Science Laboratory for storage was rejected because it was not a Clanlabs scenario and it was correct that the FSL should not have been called; LCRC should have been contacted instead.

“when a request was made to FSL, it was rejected because FSL indicated that it was not a clanlabs scenario... your view was that that rejection on that basis was correct because they ought not to have called FSL. It is LCRC they ought to have called.”

In two cases, including the Durban cocaine seizure in August 2020 and the Manuchar case, the LCRC did not attend the crime scene; the reason for this absence is not clear.

“And here, Commissioner, there are two cases where LCRC did not attend to the crime scene. But the investigators themselves complied with directives by having contemporaneous notes, by taking photos of the exhibits, and properly securing by sealing the exhibits ... It is not clear what was the reason for the two incidents. It is this case and the Manuchar case, LCRC did not attend to the scenes.”

Investigators compensated somewhat for the absence of the LCRC at the crime scenes by taking photos, making contemporaneous notes, and properly sealing exhibits.

“But the investigators themselves complied with directives by having contemporaneous notes, by taking photos of the exhibits, and properly securing it by sealing the exhibits there and then where it was recovered from the container.”

The presence of LCRC at seizure scenes is imperative for lifting fingerprints and touch DNA, tasks investigators cannot perform.

“It is very important, Commissioners, especially when it comes to the prospects of lifting fingerprints and touch DNA, which cannot be performed by an investigator. Although an investigator can take photos, compile into a photo album, and ensure chain of custody is maintained, investigators are not capable of performing that two very important aspects.”

In the Durban cocaine seizure of 20 kg, the absence of the LCRC was somewhat offset by the actions taken by investigators at the scene, though some tasks were performed by investigators only because they had to be at the scene before criminals.

“In this case, I think you specifically pointed out that there is risk of non-attendants on the LCRC not attending the scene was somehow ameliorated by the actions of the investigators themselves. ... But the reason why the investigators moved in here and conducted the investigations was that they had to beat the criminals to the vessel, and specifically the container.”

In the Port Shepstone cocaine seizure of 22 June 2022, the LCRC did not attend the crime scene because they were not summoned; the investigator Colonel Jacobi called the Forensic Science Laboratory but did not request LCRC presence.

“In the Port Shepstone matter, the one that we have been dealing with, the LCRC did not attend the scene. ... It is because they were not summoned, Commissioners. ... Colonel Jacobi indicated that he called Forensic Science Laboratory, but there was no indication that he ever requested the presence of the LCRC ...”

In the Port Shepstone seizure, investigators did not take similar steps to cover for the absence of the LCRC as were taken in the Durban case; only a few photos were taken, and the work was described as shoddy and hurried.

“By no means, Commissioners. There were just a few photos taken of the exhibits there at the police station, at Isipingo, few photos of the exhibits in the container, and shoddy work, to say the least. It was as if the investigators were in a hurry.”

The reason LCRC was not called to the Port Shepstone crime scene was not officially stated; while Colonel Jacobi called the FSL, no explanation was given for not calling LCRC.

“I guess, importantly really, the question is, has Colonel Jacobi any way stated or given a reason why the LCRC was not called? We know he called the FSL. That is what the records show, or what is alleged. But he has not said anything about, or has he said anything about why the LCRC was not called?”

LCRC did not attend the scene of a particular narcotics seizure in February 2022, and it is unclear why Colonel Sibiya did not summon them.

“This is the other matter where LCRC did not attend the scene . It is not clear why Colonel Sibiya did not summon them .”

Because LCRC was not present at the scene, potential DNA and fingerprint evidence that might have been collected was missed, which is a shortcoming.

“But because LCRC was not there , you still miss the DNA evidence that you might have been able to pick up , DNA and fingerprint .”

Unlike the June 2021 seizure, LCRC was called to process the crime scene for all other seizures except the second Polonia vessel and the Manuchar seizure.

“unlike the June 2021 seizure, 11.1, LCRC was called to the scene to process the crime scene in respect of all the other seizures, except for the second Polonia vessel seizure and the Manuchar seizure”

There was no explanation why the LCRC was not contacted to handle the crime scene; photographs and evidence handling should have been done by LCRC crime scene examiners at the scene.

“There is no explanation why LCRC was not contacted . The officers indicate that photographs were taken by them at the crime scene . The photographs must be taken by the LCRC crime scene examiner, whom must prepare a report thereafter . No finger prints were uplifted and no DNA collected . This would have had to be done by the LCRC crime scene examiner .”

Exhibits from the crime scene were sealed only after the cocaine was transported and stored in Port Shepstone, contrary to proper procedure.

“Furthermore, the exhibits had to be sealed at the crime scene but was only done after the cocaine was transported and stored in Port Shepstone .”

The LCRC (Crime Scene Examiner) should have been contacted at the crime scene, but FSL was called and declined to attend as it was not a clandestine lab case.

“According to the protocol and the national instruction, the DPCI officer's ought to have contacted a crime scene examiner from LCRC. As indicated earlier, the FSL is contacted where the crime scene is a clandestine drug laboratory. In this instance, the LCRC had to be contacted. According to the version recorded in the factual report prepared by Maj-Gen Senona on 9 November 2021, the DPCI officers stated that they called FSL, Forensic Science Laboratory, on the standby number in order to attend the scene, but FSL stated that they could not attend because it was not a clan labs scenario.”