Madlanga Commission | Hawks officer calls for enhanced training in drug seizures

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Warrant Officer, Karl Sander, says police officers are not adequately trained to handle drug seizures.

Sander testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday, where he said many officers are not fully aware of the dangers associated with handling toxic substances.

He told the commission that he heads a Directorate For Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI)/Hawks narcotics training programme aimed at equipping selected officers with the skills needed to safely identify, handle, and process toxic substances during drug seizure operations.

Although participation in the programme is not compulsory, Sander believes all police officers should undergo the training.

This follows testimony from several witnesses who admitted conducting drug seizures without the necessary knowledge or training.

Sander said while aspects of drug seizure operations are covered during police training, many officers remain unaware of the serious risks involved in handling hazardous substances.

He warned that some substances encountered in drug operations are common household substances that become dangerous if mishandled.

Sander also described his training programme as successful, saying trained officers have reported improved operational outcomes, particularly at the Beitbridge Border Post.

He further told the commission that Isipingo Police Station once refused to store drug exhibits after officers complained of a strong smell, forcing a makeshift charge office to be set up outside the building.

The complaint followed the seizure at least 571 kilograms of Mandrax (methaqualone) in February 2020.

Sander said exposure to the substance can cause nausea, heart palpitations and, in some cases, sedative effects through inhalation.

He told the commission that such exhibits should instead be stored at forensic sciences laboratories (FSL) equipped to handle hazardous materials.

“The correct place where to store it would be somewhere like the Pretoria Forensic Sciences Laboratory. I am not going to mention the other locations. I know the name of Pretoria has been mentioned. I myself have been deep into the big vault. I have been there. I have seen it. It’s chaos. Do the people that work there be exposed to hazards? The answer is yes,” said Sander.

Sander added that even FSL officials remain at risk and should be provided with proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

He said the Mandrax consignment was discovered inside a shipping container allegedly intended for SARS officials involved in the clearance of counterfeit goods.

The container, he said, held goods meant to be cleared by SARS for taxation before entering the South African market.

Sander said colleagues from the Customs Narcotics Unit (CNU) contacted him on 5 February to assist with an operation at the CHC depot at the Durban Harbour, where the consignment was discovered.

He said a K9 unit dog was deployed and positively identified drugs in sealed boxes inside the container.

Sander added that he carried PPE in his car for rapid deployments and used some of the equipment to secure exhibits during the operation.

Members from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were also called to the scene for processing and documentation.

After the exhibits were booked out from Isipingo Police Station a day later, Sander says the FSL indicated it did not have sufficient space to store the consignment. It was later stored in the vault at Durban Central Police Station.

Meanwhile suspended KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Lesetja Senona’s, legal team has requested more time to prepare for his testimony.

Senona was subpoenaed to appear before the commission on Monday, regarding the alleged theft of cocaine exhibits worth at least R200 million, seized at the Durban Harbour on 9 June 2021.

However the commission’s evidence leader, Advocate Mahlaphe Sello, said there had been confusion over the subpoena dates due to an administrative error, which was later corrected.

The commission has now ordered Senona to appear on Friday, 5 June.

Meanwhile, North West businessman, Suleiman Carrim’s, legal team also asked requested a postponement and was granted time until 25 June, when he is expected to testify.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao