South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau

Witness I was transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in 2009, based at Serious Organised Crime Unit, and by 2021 was Team Leader for the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB).

“Members were transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, DPCI, in 2009, and I was based at Serious Organised Crime Unit. In 2021, I was Team Leader for South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, SANEB, a specialised unit within the SAPS”

Colonel Jacob was promoted to the rank of Colonel in February 2022 and appointed Unit Commander of the Durban Serious Organized Crime Investigation Unit, which includes the National Priority Violent Crime Section (NPVC), SANEB, and EPR groups.

“In February 2022 , I was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed as the Unit Commander of the Durban Serious Organized Crime Investigation Unit . The unit comprises a National Priority Violent Crime Section (NPVC , SANEB and EPR groups ) .”

Colonel Jacob and SANEB conducted investigations focusing on drug projects including identifying drug syndicates, dismantling clandestine laboratories, harbour interdictions, seizures, and undercover operations.

“When he went out of the police , I took over the Narcotics group , but basically your investigations revolved around drug projects , identifying drug syndicates , drafting a project on how to address them , dismantling of clandestine laboratories , harbour interdictions , seizures , undercover operations . All major or high-level drug-related investigations were conducted by the SANEB group .”

Colonel Jacob coordinated drug operations, managed drug projects, dismantled clandestine laboratories, and was involved in several drug seizures at ports and container depots prior to a large seizure on 22 June 2021.

“I have coordinated drug operations , managed drug projects , dismantled clandestine laboratories , and been involved in several drug seizures at the port and container depots . Prior to the drug seizure on 22 June 2021 , I had not conducted a larger seizure .”

Colonel Jacob had a long career in narcotics investigation with the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB), from 2009 to 2018 and then again from 2020, attaining the rank of Colonel and appointed as unit commander by February 2022.

“I have been involved with SANEB which is the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau from technically 2009 to 2018 ... from 2020 you, at paragraph 8, you went back to SANEB and this time in a senior position and by February 2022 you were then promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed as the unit commander”

Brigadier Naicker, SANEB coordinator under DPCI, told Lt Colonel Prinsloo about the cocaine stored at his office but did not provide a plan for the exhibits storage.

“‘On the 29th of July 2021, I met Brigadier Naicker at our office at Port Shepstone. As I said before, he is the SANEB coordinator. That is the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and that falls under the DPCI. ‘He told me about the cocaine stored at our office. I did tell him that I was not comfortable with the exhibits being stored at the office as the security was not up to standard.’ ‘He did not tell me, so I do not think he knew what the plan was with it.’”