Hawks officer Colonel Gavin Jacob has admitted that he failed to follow official procedures during a major cocaine seizure in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The case has drawn national attention after the drugs were stolen from police custody.
Jacob, commander of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Durban, made the admission while testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday.
He was giving evidence about a 2021 drug bust at a depot in Isipingo, where police intercepted a shipping container carrying 541 kilograms of cocaine.
The drugs were later stolen from Hawks offices in Port Shepstone, raising questions about how the evidence was handled and secured.
Under cross-examination, Jacob acknowledged several failures in the operation.
He admitted returning from leave to work on the case without informing his direct commander.
He also conceded that information recorded in his investigation diary was inaccurate, including claims that customs officials and members of the Operational Response Service were involved in the operation.
Co-commissioner Adv. Sandile Khumalo questioned Jacob about whether he had complied with national instructions governing drug seizures.
Khumalo asked whether, based on the evidence presented so far, he could say he had fully complied with the required procedures.
“Honestly, no, I haven’t complied fully,” Jacob replied.
The testimony is expected to increase scrutiny of both the handling of the drug seizure and the subsequent theft of the cocaine from police custody.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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