'He chose to leave': KwaZulu-Natal police deny claims of forced removal of Hawks head Lesetja Senona
KwaZulu-Natal police have rejected claims that Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona was forcibly removed from his office
Image: Oupa Mokoena /I ndependent Newspapers
KwaZulu-Natal police have rejected claims that Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona was forcibly removed from his office or had his devices confiscated.
IOL previously reported that Senona had claimed he was asked to vacate his office and that some of his gadgets were seized. These claims came amid growing scrutiny of Senona following his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, where he faced questions about his alleged links to tender tycoon Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and the handling of confidential police documents.
In a statement released to the media on Sunday, KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that Senona was not forcibly removed from his office. He explained that Senona voluntarily left after security raised concerns about his arrival on a weekend, parking outside his reserved bay.
"On Saturday, January 31, 2026, unusual events happened at the Provincial Headquarters of police in KwaZulu-Natal. Major General Senona arrived at the building and chose to park on the street parking opposite the building, not at his dedicated parking inside the building.
"Moments later, he was joined by another Colonel, also from the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal. The Colonel left his vehicle and joined Major General Senona in his vehicle for approximately 45 minutes. Later on, Major General Senona and his secretary entered the building through the main entrance," Netshiunda said.
"On weekends and after normal working hours, everybody who enters the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Headquarters building, regardless of rank, must sign a register. Major General Senona breached that security protocol by going through to his office without signing the register.
"His secretary signed, but only for herself. The Colonel, who also entered the building, also failed to sign the register."
Netshiunda said security personnel reported Senona’s unusual activity to Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who instructed them to ask about his presence.
"Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi instructed the security personnel to go to Major General Senona to ask him what he was doing in the office. Major General Senona chose to leave the office and wanted to take the state computer and other documents with him.
"He was then asked to leave all state property behind, except for his official cellphone. Major General Senona voluntarily left the keys of his office".
Netshiunda said Mkhwanazi also informed the Acting National Head of the Hawks, "to send someone to fetch office keys which Major General Senona had left with the officer in charge of security officers."
"Police in KwaZulu-Natal are focused on executing their mandate of protecting the residents of KwaZulu-Natal and their property. Any other boardroom matter will be ventilated at the correct platforms at the right time"
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL News