Madlanga Commission | Sebola details alleged police-linked drug dealing operation

Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) Lieutenant-Colonel, Joseph Sebola, says investigators, uncovered cellphone messages suggesting that alleged police informant and businessman, Tumelo Nku, was communicating with an unidentified individual about a cocaine consignment seized in July 2021.

Sebola testified before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday.

The 750kg cocaine consignment was seized at Scania’s Aeroton warehouse on 9 July 2021, an incident that later led to the arrest of Nku and three other police officials on charges including drug dealing and defeating the ends of justice.

Sebola told the commission investigators discovered a screenshot on Nku’s cellphone showing a conversation with the unidentified individual discussing concerns that the drugs should not be detected by police once they arrived in southern Johannesburg from São Paulo, Brazil.

According to Sebola, the unidentified individual also expressed concern on behalf of his “bosses” that the shipment should not be intercepted by law enforcement, referencing a similar seizure in Isipingo in June 2021.

Sebola testified that Nku later forwarded the screenshot of to Gauteng Traffic chief, Samuel Mashaba.

He further claimed cellphone data showed that Mashaba initially sought assistance from officer Phukungoane, who was allegedly off-sick, before turning to SAPS Zonkizizwe Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC) commander, Marumo Magane, who had reportedly been introduced to him by Phukungoane.

Sebola also testified that Mashaba attempted to contact Pretoria Serious Organised Crime Investigations (SOCI) Lieutenant-Colonel, Resimate Maluleke.

He further told the commission that Nku should never have been present at the  operation and  questioned the legality of the permit displayed on Nku’s BMW 7 Series, which allegedly had no registration plates.

The commission previously heard during Magane’s testimony that the vehicle displayed only a permit.

Sebola said investigations later revealed the vehicle has allegedly been issued with a second permit.

“If you look at the permit. When I checked the permit. That was the second permit on it because there is a time frame for the first permit to be placed in the vehicle. If it is not registered within that timeframe then they can reapply for the second permit. When I was checking that permit there were a lot of discripencies that I came across but they were investigated later, not on the scene,” said Sebola.

Sebola further testified that Nku appeared to direct police officials on how to handle the operation, while observing from a distance, conduct he suggested may have amounted to defeating the ends of justice.

He told the commission that when he arrived at the warehouse, the scene had not yet been cordoned off and that he instructed the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) to be called in to document the scene.

Sebola also alleged that Mashaba was chasing police officials away from the area.

He testified that he briefly interviewed Mashaba and others shortly after arriving.

Sebola said he found a police van blocking Magane’s black Nissan bakkie, which allegedly contained cocaine bricks worth an estimated R290 million and appeared ready to leave the scene.

The commission heard that Magane  seized the drugs with the assistance of Mashaba, Nku and SAPS K9 Unit warrant officer, Steve Phakula – all of whom were later arrested.

Sebola said when he asked Phakula why Mashaba was allegedly chasing officers away, he received no explanation.

Sebola further claimed Mashaba admitted he lacked extensive experience in handling drug seizure operations and had sought assistance from other officers after learning about the incident.

According to Sebola, Nku told him he was only monitoring the situation in his personal capacity and that police were acting on information he had provided.

Sebola said Nku also claimed he regularly shared intelligence with Mashaba about illicit cigarette trading, despite not being a registered police informer.

He described the scene at the warehouse as chaotic, saying many people were already present when he arrived..

Sebola added that Crime Intelligence (CI) warrant officer, Thomas Rikhotso, informed him about Magane’s drug-loaded bakkie and requested operational assistance.

“I did not speak to Colonel Maluleke. This is the communication between me and warrant officer Rikhotso who was saying colonel Maluleke contacted your office of which I realised that he contacted general Kadwa. I was told by Rikhotso that we as SANEB, must take over the scene,” said Sebola.

During earlier testimony, Magane told the commission that he, together with Mashaba and Scania employees, loaded the drugs onto his bakkie after discovering them hidden inside one of the containers.

Magane also claimed he photographed the exhibits to show his superior, Colonel Risinga, that they had successfully intercepted a drug-trafficking operation.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao