Warrant Officer Phokungwane

Chief Mashaba did not inform Phokungwane that the operation involved drugs or that it was sensitive, but only asked for assistance without revealing details.

“But when you ask Phokungwane for assistance , you do not tell him that the operation involves drugs , even that , or even if you do not mention drugs , you do not say to him , this is a sensitive operation”

Incoming voice (unattributed) asserts it is contradictory to act sensitively about the operation initially but not alert those asked for assistance about the sensitivity.

“how do you reconcile that you started off quite sensitive about who gets to know about this mission , and then when you now ask for assistance , you do not alert the person you are asking for assistance from , that this is sensitive because of A , B , C , D , so if you give me anyone to help me , it has to be somebody that can , that you know is not compromised”

Chief Mashaba told Phokungwane to treat the request discreetly as the operation was sensitive, and Phokungwane said he could not help but would direct someone else.

“Please treat this very discrete . It is sensitive . Come and assist . No , I cannot come because I have got this problem .”

Chief Mashaba explained to Adv Baloyi SC that he asked Phokungwane for someone in the area familiar with drug busts because Phokungwane would know a suitable person.

“I wanted somebody in the area . Number two , I know , even if Phokungwane knows she cannot do , I know he will knows somebody that can do .”

Chief Mashaba, when Warrant Officer Phokungwane was unavailable, was recommended Warrant Officer Magane for assistance on a drug bust operation despite never having worked with him before.

“When Warrant Officer Phokungwane was not available and here recommended Warrant Officer Magane ... I have never worked with him”

Chief Mashaba did not specify the specialties needed for the drug bust operation to Warrant Officer Phokungwane and only asked for assistance.

“No, I did not tell him. I expected that he would give me somebody who works with him or who works like him ... I only asked for assistance”

Chief Mashaba trusted Warrant Officer Phokungwane's recommendation even though he was warned by Mr Nkuwa to be cautious due to possible involvement of high-profile or high-ranking officials.

“I trusted what Phokungwane was, would recommend to me”

Chief Mashaba sought assistance to conduct a search on the truck suspected of carrying drugs but initially did not get help from Warrant Officers Phokungwane and Magane or Lebo from PIU, Gauteng. Magane later became available and assisted.

“I needed backup to conduct such a process ... I contacted Warrant Officer Phokungwane ... he was not available ... He also could not refer me to anyone else on duty at Alberton SAPS ... However, he gave me Warrant Officer Magane's contact number ... I phoned Warrant Officer Magane for assistance ... he told me he could not assist at that moment ... I then phoned Lebo from PIU, Gauteng ... who told me he does not have a motorcar and could not assist as well ... I phoned Warrant Officer Magane again ... fortunately, he was now available and he agreed to come to assist.”

During an operation, Warrant Officer Magane called various members from different units for backup and assistance, including Warrant Officer Chidie from Crime Intelligence in Germiston, Brigadier Lewele from DPCI in Germiston, and Warrant Officer Phokungwane from Alberton CIS.

“I called Warrant Officer Chidie from Crime Intelligence Unit in Germiston ... I then called Brigadier Lewele from DPCI in Germiston ... I then called Warrant Officer Phokungwane from Alberton CIS”

Warrant Officer Phokungwane could not assist because he was unwell after taking a COVID-19 vaccine and was indisposed.

“He also could not assist because he said he was not feeling well after taking a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore indisposed”