Witness archive
Everyone before the commission
Profiles are added as witnesses appear and as the public record grows. People yet to testify, or without a portrait on file, are shown in an awaiting state.
Lt-Col Kwazikwakhe Sibiya
Hawks officer, Durban Serious Organised Crime Unit
A Durban Hawks officer brought onto the June 2021 Isipingo cocaine bust by his commander, Colonel Gavin Jacob - the seizure that preceded the R200m Port Shepstone theft. He told the commission he followed orders and was away at a Paarl training camp when the safe was broken into; the panel openly questioned his account.
Col Gavin Jacob
Commander, Durban Serious Organised Crime Unit - KZN Hawks
A chemistry graduate and commander of the Durban serious organised crime unit who led the 2021 seizure that became the R200m theft. He denied any role and said a polygraph vindicated him, but the commission challenged a string of decisions - booking himself onto the operation while on leave, running the scene himself for the first time at that scale, and moving the exhibits off-site - as irregular and inconsistent with his own statement.
W/O Karl Sander
Hawks narcotics investigator
A narcotics investigator with nearly four decades of service whose testimony became one of the most-watched moments of the commission. He said junior officers were victimised over the R200m theft, was polygraphed - including over his own stolen coffee machine - and was exonerated on the stand. The public rallied behind him, raising over half a million rand.
Lt-Col Jakobus Prinsloo
Lieutenant Colonel (retired), KZN Hawks
A retired Hawks officer who told the commission the theft might have been an inside job. He detailed the Port Shepstone facility's security failures and underwent a six-hour polygraph test, which he passed.
Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona
Provincial Head, KZN Hawks (DPCI)
The provincial head of the KZN Hawks who personally directed that the seized cocaine be stored at the Port Shepstone office. He conceded he was never polygraphed himself after the theft - unlike the junior officers - and was the officer who ordered Warrant Officer Sander polygraphed over a stolen coffee machine. He has since been suspended.
Brig. Campbell Nyuswa
Provincial Commander, Serious Organised Crime - KZN Hawks
The officer in the middle of the chain. Colonel Jacob told the commission he reported to Nyuswa that he could not find suitable storage; Nyuswa then consulted provincial head Senona, who recommended the Port Shepstone office.
W/O Marumo Magane
Analyst, SAPS
An analyst with no specialised drug-investigation experience who handled the 2021 Aeroton cocaine seizure. He admitted loading cocaine-filled bags onto an open police vehicle without gloves, failing to preserve the scene.