DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL — Major General Leseja Senona, the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, has abruptly stepped down from his leadership position, exiting the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) just as the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry intensifies its probe into alleged unit misconduct. The immediate resignation of the senior law enforcement official marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigations, effectively shielding him from further internal police disciplinary actions while shifting the focus toward potential criminal accountability.
The timing of the departure is not entirely unexpected, as Senona had actually alluded to this being his next step during his latest appearance before the Madlanga Commissioner. However, the strategic nature of the exit is being closely analyzed by observers. Currently in his 60s, the former provincial chief stands to preserve his South African Police Service (SAPS) retirement benefits by choosing to resign rather than face potential dismissal. Had he been fired following adverse findings, he would have forfeited significant financial entitlements accrued during his decades in the police force.
Furthermore, the exit allows the Major General to leave the police service on a relatively favorable note regarding one specific internal probe. During his recent testimony, it was revealed that Senona, alongside five other officers, had been fully exonerated in the long-standing disciplinary code (DC) case concerning Ishmael Nangi. By stepping down immediately after this clearance, he avoids the looming threat of a new internal disciplinary hearing tied to the highly controversial Port Shepstone cocaine theft.
It is this very Port Shepstone incident—a bizarre and high-profile theft of cocaine that occurred under his command—that remains the primary focus of the Commission. Although Senona recently returned to answer additional questions regarding the operation, the inquiry is still seeking to uncover exactly what transpired and why that specific location was targeted for the illicit activity. Because he is no longer a serving member of the Hawks, internal police mechanisms can no longer be used to discipline him.
Consequently, the Madlanga Commission’s power over the former Hawks boss is now strictly limited to a criminal lens. The only remaining pathway for accountability is if the Commission of Inquiry formally recommends that criminal authorities prosecute Senona over the Port Shepstone heist. Should such a referral be made, it would trigger a fresh wave of criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
Senona’s sudden departure creates a leadership vacuum at the helm of the KwaZulu-Natal Hawks. Although he had already been effectively sidelined from his official duties—testifying that he was “painfully removed” from his office while dealing with the Nangi disciplinary matter—it remains entirely unclear who will be appointed to lead the provincial unit in the interim. The DPCI headquarters must now navigate this transition and manage the fallout while the Commission continues its critical work to uncover the truth behind the scandals.