{
  "id": 4899512,
  "title": "Lebeya tells commission he did not regard Senona person of interest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/lebeya-tells-commission-he-did-not-regard-senona-person-of-interest",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T16:51:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/lebeya-tells-commission-he-did-not-regard-senona-person-of-interest/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Hawks National Head Dr Godfrey Lebeya testified before the Madlanga Commission that he did not consider General Lesetja Senona a person of interest in the theft of 541 kilograms of cocaine from Port Shepstone. Lebeya was questioned about Senona not being subjected to a polygraph test, given that he was the one with the keys to the strong room where the drugs were kept. Lebeya maintained that Senona was merely a complainant in the case. He clarified that the theft did not involve the keys, as the theft occurred without the use of a key. This contradicts Senona's claim that he informed Lebeya about storing the drugs at the Hawks facility. Lebeya admitted he could not recall being told about the storage location. Regarding his relationship with Timmy Marimutu, a convicted drug dealer and alleged kidnapping kingpin, Lebeya testified he did not have any connection with Marimutu. Marimutu's name came up during the testimony of Hawks KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant Colonel Deena Govender, who claimed Lebeya had instructed Hawks officers to meet with Marimutu. Lebeya stated he only learned of Marimutu's name during investigations into Crime Intelligence appointments.",
  "summary": "Lebeya was questioned about why Senona was not subjected to a polygraph test.",
  "key_points": [
    "Dr Godfrey Lebeya testified he did not view Lesetja Senona as a person of interest.",
    "Senona was not a complainant; Lebeya claimed he was.",
    "Lebeya denied any connection with drug dealer Timmy Marimutu."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Commission criticises Lebeya over failure to act on cocaine probe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/commission-criticises-lebeya-over-failure-to-act-on-cocaine-probe",
        "published": "2026-09-01T19:04:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}