Suspended KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 19 June 2026 to give evidence relating to the 2021 theft of 541kg of confiscated cocaine, valued at about R200 million, from the Port Shepstone Hawks offices.

During his testimony, Senona strongly rejected claims made by narcotics investigator W/O Karl Sander that he had created a hostile working environment and deliberately removed him from frontline drug investigations.

Sander had previously told the commission that he was pushed out of the South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau and reassigned to office duties in what he believed was an attempt to marginalise him.Senona disputed this version of events, stating that the transfer was linked to serious allegations involving Sander and other officers.According to Senona, there were suspicions connecting some members to drug theft at the harbour and the alleged sale of drugs to a gang.He argued that moving officers who are under investigation is standard practice and compared the situation to his own suspension.Senona also denied knowledge of claims that Sander was subjected to a polygraph test because of the theft of a personal coffee machine.

He explained that several thefts had occurred at the office, including the disappearance of a camera, a state-issued laptop and a laminating machine, with the coffee machine being only the latest incident.He said he did not order any polygraph examinations and that his involvement was limited to approving an existing directive.In addition, Senona criticised the inquiry process, claiming that he did not receive important documents in sufficient time to prepare his defence.He said access to the requested material was granted only two days before his statement was due, which he believed hindered his preparation.