Witness
Hawks narcotics investigator · KwaZulu-Natal · Pretoria
Testified · exonerated
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.
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.
Key disclosures
He was polygraphed over the theft of his own coffee machine - his self-described 'safe space' - on General Senona's instruction.
After his testimony a member of the public launched a fundraiser to replace it. A R5,000 goal passed R500,000 within days, with surplus funds pledged to the narcotics K9 unit. He passed that polygraph too; he never got the machine back.
Asked how he was 'stepping on toes', he described a supply chain that only works with corrupt insiders.
"There's toes to move a product, toes to ship it, toes that give legal advice, toes that possibly sit in the prosecution." Interrupting that chain, he said, is what made him a target.
Told on his first day that deception was detected, he learned the next day the test had been ruled invalid.
A reviewer found the examiner had made serious errors; the test was voided so he was not prejudiced, and the examiner was barred from further tests. He broke down as he was told he had been cleared.
He alleged that police and SARS officials are complicit in drug trafficking.
He said consignments are compromised at harbour control areas during unpacking, and that the suspects who stole the Port Shepstone cocaine are known and linked to DPCI management.
Nearly four decades and tons of drugs recovered, yet never an award or nomination.
He recovered hauls by the ton - 200kg, 600kg, sometimes intercepted at sea before reaching Durban - but said he was never recognised, and has since applied for early retirement.
He says leadership used a since-discredited allegation to move him to supply chain in 2024.
He named General Senona as the officer who signed his transfer letter of 13 February 2024, and noted Senona declined to take a polygraph himself. Cleared of the allegation, he was never returned to narcotics.
Timeline
541kg is stolen from the Port Shepstone exhibit store after the Durban port seizure - while Sander was on leave.
General Senona signs the letter moving Sander out of narcotics and into supply chain.
On his first day of testimony Sander is told his old polygraph showed deception - a result long held over him.
The next day the commission hears the test was ruled invalid for examiner errors. Sander breaks down as he is cleared and excused.
The public raises over R500,000 to replace his stolen coffee machine, with surplus pledged to the narcotics K9 unit.
On the stand
Connections
Lieutenant Colonel (retired), KZN Hawks
Both were polygraphed and passed; both pointed to victimisation and an inside job.
View profile →Alleged retaliationProvincial Head, KZN Hawks (DPCI)
Sander tied the pressure on junior officers to the suspended provincial leadership.
View profile →Now reports toCommander, Durban Serious Organised Crime Unit - KZN Hawks
Sander reports to Colonel Jacob, who he says named the theft suspects to him.
View profile →Related caseThe case file that ties these witnesses together.
Open case file →“Commissioner, are we safe here?”Warrant Officer Karl Sander to the commission, on the dangers facing clean narcotics investigators in South Africa.