By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

Senior KwaZulu-Natal Hawks officer, Deena Govender, had failed to come up with a cohesive explanation for his utilization of funds which had accumulated to almost a million rand. Govendar gave his testimony at the Madlanga Commission on Monday.

In his appearance at the Madlanga Commission, Govender was cross examined regarding transactions made into his and his wife’s account between the years of 2022-2023.

 These transactions occurred before his task team was involved in the fatal shooting of a truck-driver and alleged gang member, Bevan Loftus, in an operation dating back to 2023 in Durban.

The commission had probed Govender on whether or not he acted on behalf of an enemy of Loftus and rival gang member, Clive Naicker, for an incentive of over R2 million. Govender has vehemently denied the allegations, as he clarified that part of that money was from a loan from FNB, as well as other payments made by family members and friends of Govender.

 Govender had also claimed that he had sent money to an accountant friend who had utilised the money through a client who had deposited the money back into Govender’s account.

Govender has also expressly denied that police officials had received payments from Clive Naicker for protection and assistance from Govender’s task team.

 An officer of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) had previously alerted the commission about the suspicious cash payments which had been deposited into Govender’s account before Govender’s team had carried out their 2023 operation which had led to the deaths of Bevan Loftus and four other men.

There had been a phone call between Loftus and Naicker prior to the incident which had pointed to evidence suggesting that Naicker had been paying Govender. Govender continued to deny that he had any affiliation with Naicker and denied having received payments from Naicker and continued to explain the transactions.

“We don’t work for MR. Naicker or if he’s doing anything wrong. As the commissioner said, alleged drug dealer, he could very well be dealing in drugs, commissioner, which I don’t know. But you are aware of that allegation. It’s out in the open, commissioner,” said Govender.