The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry spent the week examining conflicting evidence from police officers, the disappearance of 27kg of cocaine from a Hawks evidence store, and the postponement of testimony by North West businessman Suliman Carrim.

Commissioners closely questioned Hawks Warrant Officer Mbongeleni Felix Mpangase about his role in the 2021 seizure of cocaine from a shipping container in Isipingo and the subsequent transfer of the drugs to a Hawks evidence facility in Port Shepstone, where they later went missing.

During his evidence, Mpangase acknowledged that he had limited experience with large-scale container drug interceptions and relied on senior officer Lieutenant Colonel Gavin Jacob for guidance.

Commissioners challenged inconsistencies between official SAPS registers, investigation diaries, witness statements and oral testimony, raising concerns about the accuracy of police records and whether some entries may have been deliberately false.Mpangase denied intentionally misleading the commission, saying any omissions were mistakes.The commission also questioned why experienced narcotics investigators were not deployed during the operation.

Another major issue involved Carrim, whose planned testimony was delayed after he submitted a medical certificate stating that he was unfit to appear.

However, evidence leaders told the commission they had received reports, supported by eyewitness accounts, that Carrim had been seen attending social engagements while supposedly ill.

As a result, the commission ordered further disclosure of cellphone records, CCTV footage, hospital information and other evidence before hearing his postponement application.

Earlier in the week, senior Independent Directorate Against Corruption investigator Brian Padayachee defended investigations into senior Crime Intelligence officials and rejected allegations of improper conduct.The commission is expected to continue hearing evidence from new witnesses when proceedings resume.