By Johnathan Paoli
Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre (CIMAC) commander Warrant Officer Marumo Magane has maintained his innocence, claiming he was “blind-spotted” into participating in the controversial 2021 Aeroton cocaine theft operation.
Concluding his testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday afternoon, Magane said he became involved in the operation after Gauteng Traffic Deputy Director Simon Mashaba contacted him for assistance in tracking a truck allegedly transporting narcotics.
“I was blind-spotted into this thing. I innocently went there believing that I was doing the right thing based on the little knowledge that I had. I had no intention of taking the drugs. If I had anticipated that the situation would unfold this way, I would have handled it differently and much better,” Magane told the commission.
Magane, attached to SAPS Zonkizizwe Police Station in Katlehong, testified about the recovery of 715kg of cocaine in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg.
The commission heard that a portion of the seized drugs later disappeared and that the initial handling of the crime scene was compromised.
Magane alleged that Gauteng Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan disrupted aspects of the operation after arriving at the scene.
According to Magane, Khan prevented a K-9 unit from searching a warehouse linked to the Aeroton bust.
He testified that tensions escalated following Khan’s arrival, with arguments breaking out between Khan and Mashaba.
Magane further claimed that he and Mashaba were labelled “Tsotsi police” during the confrontation.
The commission previously heard allegations that Khan disarmed Mashaba and ordered parts of the operation to be halted shortly after arriving at the warehouse.
Magane also detailed the aftermath of the operation, saying he, Warrant Officer Steve Phakula, Mashaba, and informant and Transnet employee Itumeleng Nku were arrested and detained for nearly two weeks after the bust, spending 13 days in custody.
He alleged that while they were being held at Booysens police station, they were informed that Gauteng Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DCPI) head Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa had instructed that they should not receive food, water or visitors.
Magane said they remained in custody from the weekend of 9 July 2021 until they were granted bail on 21 July following a formal bail application.
The commission also heard that during the bail proceedings, the presiding magistrate questioned investigators on whether the seized cocaine had been properly weighed.
According to Magane’s statement, Captain Ngwako Sebola was unable to explain what method had been used to determine the quantity of drugs seized.
Proceedings adjourned for the day, with the next witness expected to testify on Wednesday morning.
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