KwaZulu-Natal Hawks Provincial Commander Campbell Nyuswa has admitted that proper procedures were not followed when a cocaine consignment worth an estimated R200 million was stored at the Hawks' offices in Port Shepstone.
Nyuswa made the concession while testifying before the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday.
The provincial commander was the officer who authorised the storage of the seized drugs at the Hawks' premises instead of the South African Police Service (SAPS) facilities designated for handling evidence.
During his testimony, Nyuswa revealed that the cocaine consignment was never entered into the official SAPS evidence register at the Port Shepstone Police Station, raising questions about the chain of custody and the handling of the high-value narcotics.
Under questioning by Commissioner Sandile Khumalo, Nyuswa acknowledged that established protocols for preserving evidence had not been adhered to.
Commissioner Khumalo questioned whether Nyuswa believed the evidence remained secure simply because a senior officer, identified as Mpangase, maintained control over the drugs throughout the period they were stored at the Hawks offices.
"So, your reasoning is that although the proper chain of custody was not preserved, because Mpangase was in control throughout, you were satisfied that at least he knew where the drugs were and that they had not been compromised?" Khumalo asked.
"That's correct," Nyuswa replied.
The admission is expected to intensify scrutiny over the handling of evidence by law enforcement agencies and the circumstances surrounding the storage of the massive drug haul.
The Madlanga Commission is continuing its inquiry into allegations of misconduct and irregularities within law enforcement structures.