South Africa's Madlanga Commission probes R200m cocaine theft

Major-General Hendrik Flynn, head of the Hawks' Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, testified that more than 500 kilograms of cocaine seized at Durban port in June 2021 was not stored at the nearest police station as required. Instead, the drugs were allegedly diverted to the Potchefstroom Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, where they were later stolen, a loss valued at roughly R200 million.

Flynn described the handling of the seizure as “suspicious,” disputed claims that the Isipingo station lacked storage capacity, and highlighted that a separate seizure of nearly a tonne of cocaine occurred in Durban in July 2021. He explained that traffickers use “rip‑on, rip‑off” methods to conceal drugs in legitimate cargo, exploiting ports such as Durban Harbour and key transit points like OR Tambo Airport and the Lebombo Border Post.