Port Shepstone Cocaine Bust: R200m Consignment at Center of Madlanga Inquiry ### DATELINE: Pretoria, South Africa – 2026-07-17 ### LEAD In a case that has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s law enforcement community, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is delving into the theft of a R200 million cocaine consignment from a Hawks building in KwaZulu-Natal.
The consignment, weighing 541kg, was initially seized at the Durban port but was later found to have been routed to a Port Shepstone Hawks office instead of the forensic laboratory it was supposed to be taken to. ### NUT GRAF: The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate corruption and maladministration within government departments and law enforcement agencies, is examining whether the theft was due to negligence or an inside job involving the KZN Hawks chain of command.
Colonel Gavin Jacob, who was involved in the initial seizure of the cocaine, is now under scrutiny following allegations of a possible inside job.
### BODY: Pretoria, South Africa – Colonel Gavin Jacob, attached to the Hawks and the commander of Durban’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, has become a focal point in the inquiry. Jacob’s role in the seizure of the cocaine is under intense scrutiny, with the Madlanga Commission seeking to ascertain whether the theft was an inside job, implicating higher-ups within the KZN Hawks.
The Madlanga Commission’s investigation into the theft of the cocaine from the Hawks’Port Shepstone premises in KwaZulu-Natal in 2021 has been ongoing.
The drugs, which were legally required to be taken to a forensic laboratory, were instead found at a Port Shepstone Hawks office, which had already been robbed eight times. Sources indicate that Warrant Officer Mbongeleni Mpangase, who was among the first police officers to deal with the cocaine, is expected to testify before the commission.
His specific role in the initial seizure of the cocaine is a matter of interest, particularly in light of the ongoing investigation into whether negligence or an inside job was at play.
The unanswered questions surrounding the theft include the extent of Warrant Officer Mpangase’s involvement and whether there is evidence suggesting his complicity in the theft.
Additionally, the status of the investigation into the potential inside job within the KZN Hawks chain of command remains a key concern.
As the Madlanga Commission continues its work, the focus is on uncovering the truth behind the theft of the R200 million cocaine consignment.
The outcome of the inquiry could have significant implications for the integrity of South Africa’s law enforcement agencies and the broader fight against drug trafficking in the region. ### KICKER: The Madlanga Commission’s examination of the Port Shepstone cocaine theft is expected to provide further insights into the extent of corruption and maladministration within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
As the inquiry progresses, the public awaits answers to the many questions surrounding the theft and its potential implications for the country’s drug control efforts.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: enca
Source: Nokuthula Khanyile
