Johnathan Paoli
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona has allegedly been removed from his office and had his electronic devices confiscated by provincial SAPS officers.
According to reports on Sunday by Newzroom Afrika and SABC News, Senona confirmed that he was escorted from his office by KwaZulu-Natal SAPS members, who also seized his official devices.
According to Senona, the removal was ordered by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Senona said this was done despite his not having received any formal notice of suspension or written communication outlining the basis for his removal.
“I have effectively been kicked out of my office, my devices have been seized, and I am now being followed to my home, without having been formally suspended,” Senona told SABC, adding that the situation has left him fearing for his personal safety.
It has been reported that his legal representatives have since written to the acting national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi, seeking urgent clarification on the circumstances surrounding the seizure of Senona’s devices and his apparent removal from office.
The letter emphasises that Senona has not been served with a suspension letter and remains uncertain of his official employment status.
The developments come amid mounting pressure on Senona following his recent appearance before the Madlanga Commission, where he has been under intense scrutiny over his close relationship with alleged underworld figure and businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Earlier this week, Senona returned to the commission for further cross-examination, where evidence leader advocate Adila Hassim argued that WhatsApp messages between Senona and Matlala showed that he provided more than mere “moral support” to the businessman in relation to his SAPS contract disputes.
Senona has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he did not interfere in procurement processes and that his interactions with Matlala were being mischaracterised.
However, commissioners expressed frustration with what they described as evasive answers, particularly regarding cryptic references in the messages to “our brother” and a senior SAPS official allegedly “stirring problems”.
The Madlanga Commission has already referred Senona for further investigation in its interim report, alongside several other senior police officials.
SAPS has not yet issued a formal statement clarifying the authority under which Senona was removed from office or whether he has been placed on precautionary suspension.
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