By Johnathan Paoli
Lucas Legabe, the businessman accused of helping steal 541kg of cocaine worth about R216 million from a Hawks storage facility in Port Shepstone, has been granted R50,000 bail with strict conditions.
Proceedings resumed in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Monday, with Magistrate Nonjabulo Moleele granting Legabe bail after finding that he had satisfied the court that the interests of justice permitted his release and that there was insufficient evidence to establish that he was likely to abscond or interfere with witnesses.
“The applicant shall abide by the following bail conditions: he shall reside at his stated residential address and shall not change such an address without prior written consent from the investigating officer,” Moleele said.
Legabe must report to Brooklyn police station in Pretoria every Monday, surrender his passport and other travel documents, and comply with restrictions on his movements.
He is also prohibited from contacting any of the State’s witnesses.
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The State had opposed bail, arguing that Legabe knew two alleged co-perpetrators who had since turned State witnesses and could therefore interfere with them if released.
The court considered that Legabe had remained in South Africa in the years after the 2021 theft and continued operating his businesses until his arrest in Pretoria on 7 August.
The State alleges that Legabe was part of a group that planned and executed the theft after receiving information that a large consignment of cocaine was being stored at the Hawks’ offices in Port Shepstone.
According to investigating officer Captain Mothapo Mashao’s affidavit, at least two witnesses said Legabe attended meetings where the theft was discussed.
“The Applicant’s participation began prior to the incident and even during the incident itself in which he was among the people who went in and stole the drugs. Witnesses further say the applicant thereafter was given a portion of those drugs,” Mashao stated.
Investigators have obtained about 120 witness statements in the case, while two of the alleged participants have become Section 204 witnesses.
Prosecutor Zwelethu Mata argued that Legabe’s knowledge of the witnesses created a risk of interference.
The investigating officer also said further arrests could follow as the investigation continues, including people allegedly involved in the theft and others suspected of conspiring with Legabe.
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Legabe has denied the allegations and argued during his bail application that there was no forensic evidence or other material directly connecting him to the stolen cocaine.
His affidavit stated that he had no previous convictions on his record, while his defence told the court that historic convictions raised by the State had been expunged.
Legabe also said he had strong family and business ties in Gauteng and had no intention of fleeing South Africa.
He told the court that he owns several properties and businesses, including a butchery, restaurant and pub in Mabopane and a transport business.
He said he employs nine people and that his businesses provide income for his family and children.
He also cited his health, saying he suffers from asthma, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis and that continued detention in an overcrowded prison environment could worsen his condition.
The State’s case stems from the discovery of a large cocaine consignment at a container depot in Isipingo in June 2021.
Crime Intelligence received information about a suspected drug shipment and, when police opened the container on 22 June, officers found 26 canvas bags containing cocaine.
The drugs, weighing about 541kg, were subsequently taken to Isipingo police station before being transferred to the Hawks’ offices in Port Shepstone, where they were stored in a safe.
The break-in is believed to have taken place between the afternoon of Friday, 5 November, and the morning of Monday, 8 November 2021, when police discovered that the facility had been burgled.
The safe had been forced open and the cocaine stolen. Some of the forensic evidence bags were found at the scene and others in nearby unused sewer pipes.
The theft has featured prominently at the Madlanga Commission.
Legabe’s matter has been postponed to 1 December 2026 for further investigations.
