By Johnathan Paoli
Suspended KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona is set to testify before the Madlanga Commission again on Friday, after the commission granted a postponement and ordered him to submit his witness statement by midnight on Tuesday.
Senona appeared before the commission on Monday morning under subpoena, despite not being scheduled to take the witness stand.
His testimony had previously been postponed, and evidence leaders informed the inquiry that scheduling arrangements now place his appearance on 5 June.
Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello told the commission that Senona’s attendance was required because he remained under subpoena.
“The result of the schedule is that General Senona is anticipated to take the stand only on the 5th of June, but because he’s under subpoena and order by the Chair to be present today, he’s availed himself and he appears with our request that you stand him down to the 5th of June,” Sello said.
Senona’s legal representative, Advocate Reghana Tulk, said the general’s legal team was still preparing his sworn witness statement and required additional time to engage with documents and evidence recently provided by the commission.
“We’re not in a position to file the statement today, and we would seek an extension in respect of that. We would seek an indulgence from the Commission to file the statement by close of business on the 3rd of June, in anticipation and in preparation for the testimony to be delivered by the Major General on the 5th,” she said.
Tulk raised concerns about three operative summonses issued to Senona, saying clarity was needed because the legal consequences of ignoring a commission subpoena are significant.
“The concern is that there must be finality in terms of the document that he’s required to testify on so that he knows which evidence to testify on,” she said.
Sello responded that confusion arose because of an administrative error which resulted in the incorrect subpoena being reissued on 19 May.
Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga said the inquiry needed sufficient time to prepare evidence bundles once Senona’s statement was received.
“Our experience is that once a statement is filed, the evidence leaders usually have to prepare bundles of documents that relate to the statement. You have basically the whole of today. You have the whole of tomorrow. And that should give you, your instructing attorneys, and the general enough time to prepare and finalise the statement,” he said.
Madlanga ruled that Senona’s witness statement must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday, ahead of his appearance on Friday.
The commission also confirmed that a Lieutenant Colonel Duma (previously known as Witness I), will testify on Tuesday regarding the Port Shepstone drug bust.
His evidence will be heard partially in camera, with audio broadcasts permitted but media prohibited from showing his identity or image publicly.
Meanwhile, controversial businessman Suliman Carrim was granted a postponement after his legal team submitted a medical report indicating that he remains unfit to testify.
Following discussions between the commission’s legal team and Carrim’s representatives, an agreement was reached for him to appear before the inquiry on 25 June.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the inquiry still intends to conclude hearings by the end of July and submit its final report to the Presidency in August.
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