The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) better known as Hawks, has made significant inroads in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, thus ensuring accountability and justice for victims.
This is according to Hawks Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey
Lebeya, who briefed the media, last Thursday, on the successes and progress
made with regards to high profile cases in the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025
financial year.
‘’These arrests targeted people involved in serious
corruption, serious organised crime, serious commercial crime including fraud,
theft, money laundering, cybercrime, police killings, cash-in-transit
robberies, other armed robberies, terrorist activities, kidnapping for ransom,
illegal mining, tax related offences, Covid-19 related criminal activities,
drug trafficking and trafficking in persons.’’
COURTESY: GovernmentZAA total number of 656 suspects (607 natural and 49 juristic
persons) were secured before the various courts in the country. Of these
arrests, 450 (74%) are South Africans whereas 157 (26%) are foreign nationals.
‘’Of the 656 suspects, the Serious Organised Crime
Investigation secured 364, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation secured
220 while the Serious Corruption Investigation secured 72 suspects before
court. Most of the arrests were effected in Gauteng province with 139, North
West province with 99, KwaZulu-Natal province with 88, Eastern Cape and Free
State provinces with 73 suspects each.’’
‘’During these arrests, 395 firearms and 1 746 rounds of
ammunition were seized. Seven (7) clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled
with drugs worth a total street value of R23 361 125.’’
‘’During this same period, the Directorate secured
convictions on 239 accused persons. A total number of 266 (253 natural and 13
juristic) accused persons including those convicted in the previous quarters
were sentenced during the quarter under review. Of the 253 sentenced natural
persons, 139 (55%) are South Africans while 114 (45%) are foreign nationals.
Most of these convictions and sentences were secured in the Gauteng province.
Of these convictions, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) secured
157, Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) secured 73 and Serious
Corruption Investigation (SCI) secured nine (9),’’ he added.
Lebeya says to ensure that crime does not pay, the Priority
Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) has contributed towards the issuing of a
combined 102 freezing and forfeiture orders amounting to R418 million. Of these
orders, 56 were Preservation Orders, with 45 Forfeiture Orders and 1 Restraint
Order
He says an amount of R19 million has been deposited into
the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).
‘’These performances make the total recorded successes on
arrests, convictions and attachment of assets to 1 024. I shall highlight
thirty (30) main cases, which represent only 3% of the successes. Of these 1
024 cases, 656, 266 and 102 are for arrests, convictions and recovery of assets
respectively.’’
‘’The Digital Forensic Investigation Section of the PCSI
component of the DPCI, finalised the extraction and analysis of data evidence
from 324 electronic devices within 90 days during the quarter. The Priority
Crime Management Center (PCMC) received 129 requests for analysis during the
quarter under review. Evidential Communication Analysis Section obtained 358
applications and 29 of 212 statements in terms of Section 205 of the Criminal
Procedure Act 51 of 1977 from various service providers,’’ he added.
Twenty-two police officers have been killed during this
period. The majority of them - 16 - were off-duty at the time of their murder.
‘’There exists a blue wall in South Africa. A human wall
formed by men and women in blue. The wall that divides and shield the good from
the bad elements in society. The stronger the wall, the safer the community.
The weaker the wall, the happier the criminals. Criminals will continuously
attack this wall in order to access the protected good citizens of this, our
beloved country. An attack of police officials is an assault on society and
indeed, an attack on the State. We categorised the killing of police officials
as that national priority offence that requires the attention of the DPCI. During
this period, 22 police officials were murdered of which 16 were off duty while
six (6) were on duty. 50% of these murders happened in Gauteng. Thirty-eight
(38) arrests were effected and 14 convictions with 11 life imprisonment
sentences plus 487 years imprisonment were secured. Over and above these killings of SAPS
members, two (2) Metropolitan police officials were also killed.’’
Of those killed, Hawks Head Lebeya says the case of the
slain Sergeant Simphiwe Kwepile of Nyanga police station will resume on 14 May
2025. Two suspects were arrested in this matter.
In January 2025, Constable Ayanda Moyikwa in Cape Town was
murdered. 22-year-old Blessing Ndibango was arrested in March and appeared in the Bluedowns Magistrates
Court. The case is postponed to 21 May
Lt. Gen. Lebeya says that not only is the Hawks
investigating those who kill police official, but also probing police officials
involved in criminal activities
‘’A total number of 33 police officials were arrested in
the quarter under review. Of these arrests, 19 are traffic officials whereas 14
are SAPS officials. They were arrested for cases ranging from fraud,
corruption, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the
ends of justice. These officers were arrested in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and
Free State provinces. Six (6) police officials were convicted and sentenced for
defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit robbery, fraud and
corruption.’’
COURTESY: GovernmentZAThe Hawks head revealed that during the fourth quarter, 50 incidents of Cash-In-Transit (CIT) robberies were received by the Directorate. A total number of 28 suspects excluding 10 who died in exchange of gunfire with the police were arrested.
Furthermore, he also emphasized that legal practitioners
should continue to maintain the decorum of the profession or face consequences
Lebeya also highlighted trafficking in persons as well as
cases relating to Kidnappings and demand for ransom. He says Twenty four (24)
cases were reported to the Hawks during the period under review. Thirty-five
(35) arrests consisting of 28 South Africans and 7 foreigners were effected.
‘’As I conclude, let me indicate that this statement is my
last quarterly media briefing. Allow me to repeat that in line with our moto of
seek, find and strike, the DPCI shall continue to execute its mandate without
fear, favour or prejudice in accordance with the Constitution and other laws of
the Republic,’’ said Lt. Gen. Godfrey Lebeya, National Hawks Head.
Done by: Mitchum George
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