Witness
Provincial Head, KZN Hawks (DPCI) · KwaZulu-Natal
Testified · resigned from Hawks
The provincial head of the KZN Hawks who personally directed that the seized cocaine be stored at the Port Shepstone office. Suspended and recalled, he returned to the Madlanga Commission on 19 June 2026 - now represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu SC - and went on the offensive, accusing the inquiry of unfair treatment, denying he ran a hostile unit, and disputing the evidence of junior officers. He says no security threats were ever reported to him, that he was removed from his office at gunpoint 'like a dog', and that he never intentionally misled anyone. On 26 June 2026, days after turning 60, he resigned from the Hawks with immediate effect; his lawyer confirmed it on 30 June. He remains under commission scrutiny over the 2021 Port Shepstone cocaine theft and his friendship with tender-fraud-accused Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.
This profile summarises testimony and evidence given on the public record before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. It restates allegations as presented at the hearings and is not a finding of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by any person.
Their role
On 19 June 2026 (Day 122) Senona returned for a second round, now represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu SC. Mpofu accused the commission of a 'serial refusal' to share requested transcripts and questioned the cost and burden of recalling Senona over ground covered in his three-day January appearance. Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello SC rejected the claim that Senona was being treated unfairly.
Senona challenged Warrant Officer Karl Sander's evidence, saying the office had suffered four thefts - a state camera, a state laptop, a laminating machine and, last, the coffee machine - pointing to an inside job. He said Brigadier Campbell Nyuswa initiated the polygraph applications and that he himself only signed the call-up instruction, calling it 'insane' to polygraph a victim. He said Sander 'misled the commission'.
Senona told the inquiry that retired Lieutenant Colonel Jakobus Prinsloo had misled it over the handling and storage of the seized cocaine at Port Shepstone.
Under cross-examination, a factual report Senona submitted to SAPS Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili was challenged as inaccurate - including a statement that the container seal was broken in the presence of operational-support and narcotics members, which other evidence disputes. Senona said he relayed a report compiled for him and never intentionally misled his superior; the wording was settled as 'incorrect information' rather than misleading.
Senona testified that no security threats at the Port Shepstone office were ever reported to him before the cocaine was stored there - contradicting Brigadier Nyuswa, who said the provincial head had toured the offices and was briefed on the security upgrades.
Senona conceded he was never subjected to a polygraph after the theft, despite directing where the drugs were stored (Maj-Gen Hendrik Flynn testified that he should have been), and testimony indicates he assumed control of the storage keys when the drugs were booked in - a step described as inconsistent with standard procedure.
Senona has been suspended as head of the KZN Hawks. His substantive testimony was a three-day stint on 27-29 January 2026; his rescheduled 5 June testimony was postponed after evidence leader Adv Mahlape Sello told the commission his attorney had fallen seriously ill, and he finally returned on 19 June 2026. He said he was removed from his office at gunpoint on 31 January and spent two weeks in hospital, and raised fears for his and his family's safety.
On the stand
On the record
Connections
Provincial Commander, Serious Organised Crime - KZN Hawks
Nyuswa testified Senona approved storing the cocaine at Port Shepstone and then took possession of both safe keys; Senona says Nyuswa initiated the polygraph applications.
View profile →Top of the chainCommander, Durban Serious Organised Crime Unit - KZN Hawks
Jacob's unit moved the drugs to the site Senona directed.
View profile →Signed his transferHawks narcotics investigator
Senona signed Sander's Feb 2024 transfer letter and ordered his polygraphs; on 19 June he said Sander 'misled the commission'.
View profile →Accused of misleading the inquiryLieutenant Colonel (retired), KZN Hawks
Senona told the commission on 19 June that retired Lt-Col Prinsloo misled it over the Port Shepstone storage handling.
View profile →Related caseThe case file that ties these witnesses together.
Open case file →Exhibits
“I was taken out of my office like a dog.”Major General Lesetja Senona to the Madlanga Commission, 19 June 2026, on being removed from his office at gunpoint and hospitalised for two weeks.
