Top Cop Claims R200m KZN Hawks Cocaine Heist Was Orchestrated
Flynn said the consignment should have gone to a forensic lab, as the Hawks building had no working alarm and no private security.
- On Tuesday, Major General Hendrik Flynn testified at the Madlanga Commission that a R200-million cocaine consignment was stolen from a Hawks building in Port Shepstone, which lacked a working alarm system.
- Police intercepted the 541kg shipment in Isipingo in June 2021 but stored it at the Hawks' offices instead of a laboratory; officials failed to renew private security contracts after March 2021.
- Flynn told the Madlanga Commission the theft was "by design, not coincidence," citing several prior break-ins and arguing police should have moved evidence to a laboratory within seven working days.
- Daily Maverick reported that investigators widely believe the theft was an inside job, following an attempted break-in at the Port Shepstone premises flagged by Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili in October 2021.
- This testimony marks Flynn's first appearance before the inquiry investigating allegations of alleged cartel infiltration within criminal justice and private security industries.
12 Articles
12 Articles
South Africa: 'Embarrassing' R200m Cocaine Theft Was Eighth Break-in At Hawks Building, Cop Tells Commission
Before a R200m cocaine consignment was stolen from an unprotected KwaZulu-Natal Hawks building in 2021, the premises was broken into seven times. This has emerged at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is hearing about suspected police involvement in the theft.
Repeated break-ins at Hawks facility before 541kg cocaine theft, commission hears – The Mail & Guardian
Standard procedures governing the handling, recording and transfer of seized narcotics had not been followed with regard to a 541kg cocaine consignment that was later stolen from a Hawks facility in Port Shepstone in November 2021, South African Police Service (SAPS) Major-General Hendrik Flynn told the Madlanga commission of inquiry on Wednesday. Flynn said there had been non-compliance in the movement of exhibits from Isipingo police station t…
Madlanga commission hears evidence on R200m KZN cocaine theft
Testimony at the Madlanga Commission has placed fresh focus on the theft of cocaine worth R200 million from a police storage facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Hawks Major-General Hendrik Flynn, who heads the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, testified in Pretoria on Tuesday. He outlined operational failures and questionable decisions that preceded the November 2021 break-in at a Hawks fa…
Daily Maverick
The NamibianFrom bust to heist — Hawks officer says cops ‘intentionally bungled’ R200m cocaine haul investigation
In June 2021, a R200m cocaine consignment linked to transnational traffickers was intercepted in KwaZulu-Natal. Months later, it was stolen from an unprotected Hawks building. The Madlanga Commission has now heard how cops may have intentionally crafted this chain of events.
Madlanga Commission | Top cop criticises Hawks' handling of cocaine evidence in Port Shepstone
Major-General Hendrick Flynn's testimony at the Madlanga Commission highlights serious concerns regarding the management and security of cocaine evidence by the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks, following a significant burglary of 541kg of cocaine.
Cop claims 541kg of cocaine was stolen from KZN Hawks offices
Cop claims 541kg of cocaine was stolen from KZN Hawks offices Zandile.Khumalo Tue, 05/05/2026 - 19:21 Sesi Baloyi and Mbuyiseli Madlanga at Madlanga Commission Of InquiryGalloImages/Frennie Shivambu PRETORIA - The Madlanga Commission has heard how 541kg worth of drugs could have been stored in a much safer location than Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal.They were later allegedly stolen from the Hawks' offices.KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Lesetja Senon…
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