Mashaba is currently giving evidence on a major 2021 drug bust in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg, where more than 700 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
Despite being a traffic officer, Mashaba was present at the scene after supposedly receiving a tip-off about a truck transporting drugs from Durban to Johannesburg.
Over the past few days, the Madlanga Commission has heard testimony from several witnesses questioning why Mashaba, a Gauteng traffic officer, was present at the scene of the drug bust.
Some Hawks officers have argued that Mashaba neither had the legal authority nor the expertise required to handle or process such a large drug consignment.
However, when the commission’s chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, asked Mashaba to distinguish between the responsibilities of a traffic officer and those of SAPS members, he maintained that their duties are essentially the same.
“There is no difference in being a traffic officer and being a police man because we work under one boss, which is the State, but with different duties,” said Mashaba.
Madlanga responded, “I think what is crucial is exactly the difference in duties.”
Mashaba maintains there was nothing improper about his presence at the scene of the drug bust despite being a traffic officer.
Alpha Ramushwana
www.ewn.co.za
