Madlanga Commission: Lebeya Under Pressure Over R200 Million Cocaine Theft as Hawks Accounts Collide

South Africa - 1 September 2026

Former Hawks national head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya came under intense questioning at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday as evidence exposed conflicting accounts over the storage of 541 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated R200 million that was later stolen from a Hawks facility in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal.

Lebeya returned to the witness stand as the Commission continued its investigation into allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within South Africa's criminal justice system.

The central issue on Tuesday was whether Lebeya had been informed that the seized cocaine had been stored at the Hawks' Port Shepstone premises.

Conflicting accounts over the cocaine

Evidence leader Advocate Lee Seegels-Ncube confronted Lebeya with evidence previously given by former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona.

Senona had testified that he informed Lebeya that the seized cocaine was being stored at the Port Shepstone facility.

Lebeya, however, said he could not recall receiving such information.

When the apparent contradiction was put directly to him, Lebeya maintained that he could not say Senona was lying, but said he did not remember being told where the drugs had been stored.

The exchange placed the two senior Hawks officials' accounts directly at odds.

The Commission is now faced with determining whether Senona's account, Lebeya's account, or another explanation is supported by the available evidence.

Security failures at the facility

The questioning also highlighted serious security concerns surrounding the storage of the cocaine.

Evidence before the Commission has indicated that the Port Shepstone facility had malfunctioning CCTV cameras and alarms and did not have 24-hour security.

The drugs were reportedly stored at the Hawks facility after being seized at Durban Harbour, rather than being transferred to a police evidence facility or forensic laboratory as expected.

The cocaine was subsequently stolen.

Other firearms stored at the premises were reportedly left untouched, raising questions about whether the perpetrators specifically targeted the cocaine.

Lebeya told the Commission that, after learning of the theft, he authorised two investigations into the incident.

He said his involvement included assigning officials to investigate the theft and that he relied on a factual report concerning the circumstances surrounding the break-in.

The Senona question

One of the more difficult questions for Lebeya concerned Senona's own role.

Evidence leader Seegels-Ncube questioned why Senona had been involved in investigating the theft when evidence suggested he had possession of keys to the facility.

The Commission also heard that Senona had requested polygraph examinations for staff members following the theft but apparently did not subject himself to the same process.

Lebeya defended the decision, saying Senona was the supervisor responsible for the personnel involved and therefore had management responsibilities over them.

The Commission will ultimately have to assess whether that explanation adequately addresses the concerns raised by the evidence.

Lebeya and the Katiso Molefe operation

The cocaine investigation was not the only matter under scrutiny.

Lebeya is also being questioned about the controversial December 2024 operation involving alleged murder accused and suspected organised-crime figure Katiso "KT" Molefe.

Lebeya has previously denied knowing Molefe personally.

He told the Commission that he instructed Hawks officials to verify reports that people claiming to be Hawks officers were present at Molefe's Sandton property after he received a call from a person identified in the proceedings as "Malcolm X".

Lebeya has maintained that his actions were intended to establish whether the people at the property were legitimate Hawks officers, rather than to interfere with Molefe's arrest.

The Commission is examining this episode as part of broader questions about relationships and possible interference between different law-enforcement structures.

Feroz Khan testimony remains uncertain

Another major development expected on Tuesday was the possible appearance of suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major-General Feroz Khan.

Khan had been subpoenaed to testify, but his legal representatives are seeking a postponement after he was reportedly readmitted to hospital.

Khan was previously shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt and has already had his appearance before the Commission delayed on medical grounds.

His evidence is potentially significant because the Commission has heard allegations involving Crime Intelligence, alleged interference with investigations, relationships with controversial business figures and the awarding of government tenders.

Khan also suffered a separate legal setback after the Labour Court struck his urgent application concerning his disciplinary process off the roll on Monday.

Govender evidence adds another layer

Tuesday's proceedings follow explosive evidence from KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Lieutenant-Colonel Deenadayalan "Deena" Govender.

Govender has been questioned about more than R3 million in cash deposits into his accounts between August 2022 and December 2023.

Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson has questioned whether the pattern of transactions could indicate money laundering.

Govender has also given evidence concerning alleged pressure to implicate KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his interactions with people linked to organised crime.

The Commission has indicated that the financial evidence will be tested against evidence from other witnesses.

The Commission enters its final stretch

The proceedings are taking place against a tight timetable. The Commission's public evidence is scheduled to close on 2 October 2026, with the final report due to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 16 November 2026.

With several major witnesses still appearing, the Commission is entering one of the most consequential phases of its work. Today,s evidence raises a fundamental question:

How could hundreds of kilograms of seized cocaine, worth approximately R200 million, be stored in a facility with serious security shortcomings - and why do senior Hawks officials now give conflicting accounts about who knew where the drugs were kept?

That question is likely to remain central as the Commission continues to test the evidence and establish whether the failures surrounding the cocaine theft were the result of negligence, poor management, deliberate interference, or something more serious.

The allegations and evidence presented before the Madlanga Commission remain subject to the Commission's findings. Evidence given before the inquiry does not, by itself, constitute proof of criminal guilt, and individuals mentioned in connection with allegations remain presumed innocent unless a court determines otherwise.