Provincial Commander

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.”

In August 2020, Major General Senona was appointed Provincial Head of DPCI KZN, at the same time as the speaker's permanent appointment as Provincial Commander of SOCI.

“Major General Senona was appointed the Provincial Head of DPCI KZN in August 2020, the same month as my permanent appointment as Provincial Commander, SOCI”

General Senona instructed each Provincial Commander to present a workload report including cases and personnel, which took approximately three months.

“When General Senona arrived on the [sic] August 2020, he instructed each Provincial Commander to present a report of their current workload, which included cases the section was currently investigating and personnel. This was a time-consuming exercise which took approximately three months”

Serious Organized Crime Section (SOCS) is headed by a Provincial Commander, contains three sections, and handles major investigations against high-profile criminals and syndicates.

“Serious Organized Crime section duties as a Provincial Commander. My duties, amongst others, are to ensure that project and major investigations are conducted by Serious Organize Crime sections against identified individuals, so-called high flyers and criminal groupings and syndicates. The Serious Organized Crime section has three sections, namely Serious Organized Crime units, Crimes against the State (CATS), and the Truth and Reconciliation Section (TRC).”

Lt-Col Duma relayed prior communication with Colonel Jacobi about operational details and booking on duty despite Jacobi being on leave, with permission from the Provincial Commander.

“I told him that I was on leave but I was willing to book on duty if the Provincial Commander gave permission to do so... He said he will brief Nyuswa on the situation and get back to me... he called me and indicated that he had spoken to the Brigadier and that was in order with regard to me booking on duty.”

General Flynn confirmed Warrant Officer Mpangase was the investigating officer or 'owner' of the enquiry, with command and control responsibilities delegated to team leaders and higher-ranking officials.

“Indeed, the owner of the enquiry ... he is the investigating officer... but in terms of command and control, the responsibilities of the team leader... the Unit Commander, the Provincial Commander, as well as the Provincial Head...”

Investigating officers and commanders have a process to submit priority requests to Forensic Science Lab leadership to expedite analysis and storage of exhibits when capacity is limited.

“We have a process in place where we call a priority request. So , under these circumstances , a Provincial Commander or a Unit Commander or the Provincial Head is at liberty to submit a request to the leadership of the Forensic Science Laboratory and request , obviously depending on the sensitivity and the urgency of completing an investigation , to prioritize this matter”