PRETORIA - The drugs stored at the Port Shepstone storage were destined to be stolen, said senior investigator Advocate Mahlape Sello.
The Commission heard on Thursday how proper protocol was not followed in the proper storage of the narcotics valued at an estimated R200million.
READ: Madlanga Commission | Lt. Colonel concedes, missing drugs not well-handled
At the center of the improper storage was Hawks Counter Narcotics Unit member Gavin Jacob.
Jacob told the Commission on the final day of his testimony that he had lied to his Commander that he had exhausted all options to store the drugs.
Warrant Officer Karl Sander had, in July 2021, secured storage for the drugs, totaling 999kg, closer to the port. The same storage would have been enough to store the 541kg of cocaine a month prior.
"I concede, I made an assumption based on past experience, not on fact," said Jacobs.
Jacob said Hawks Head Lesja Senona instructed him to place the drugs at the Port Shepstone storage, where laptops and other devices had been stolen before.
In addition, the relevant people from Customs and the Local Record Criminal Centre were not present at the management and movement of the drugs.
The testimony got heated as Jacob defended his decision and flouting the national instructions. He said he came out of his leave to ensure the "proper" movement of the drugs to boost his ego.
Meanwhile, Senona will no longer be testifying at the Commission on Friday because his senior counsel has fallen ill. He will return at a later date.