Hawks commander Jacob denies role in theft of R200m cocaine consignment

By Johnathan Paoli

Colonel Gavin Jacob, commander of the Durban Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, on Wednesday strongly denied any wrongdoing in the handling of a 541kg cocaine consignment that was later stolen from Hawks offices in Port Shepstone, accusing investigators of constructing a “false narrative” to implicate him despite a lack of evidence.

Testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Jacob said none of his actions during the June 2021 seizure operation or the subsequent handling of the drugs amounted to criminal conduct.

“I believe that in the absence of any evidence pertaining to the actual theft of the drugs, a false narrative of what transpired was created. The investigation seems to have been directed towards this false narrative,” Jacob told the commission.

He further alleged bias by members of the team investigating the theft.

“The intimidation of witnesses shows clear biasedness from the team investigating the theft