Hawks tackle criminals

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, will continue to pursue criminals without fear, favor or prejudice.

This is according to Hawks Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, who briefed the media on Sunday to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

“The DPCI remains committed to its mandate to investigate, prevent and combat national priority crimes without fear, favor or prejudice. The DPCI has made significant progress in arresting individuals involved in high-profile cases, ensuring accountability and justice for victims.

“These arrests targeted people involved in serious corruption, serious organized crime and serious commercial crime, including fraud, theft, money laundering, police killings, cash-in-transit robberies, illegal mining, drug trafficking, damage to essential infrastructure and trafficking in endangered species,” he said.

During the reporting period, approximately 818 natural and legal persons were arrested and appeared in courts across the country.

Most suspects were arrested in Gauteng, the North West and KwaZulu-Natal.

Approximately 84 firearms and 2,049 rounds of ammunition were seized during these arrests. Seven clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled, with a total value of more than R17 million.

“During the same period, the directorate convicted 301 suspects. Of these convictions, 285 suspects have been convicted, including 13 legal entities, while the remaining 16 convicted persons will be sentenced on dates after the reporting quarter.

“Of the 272 convicted individuals, 164 are South Africans, while 108 are foreigners. Most of these convictions and sentences were handed down in Gauteng Province.

“Of these convictions, the Serious Organized Crime Investigation unit has secured 143, Serious Commercial Crime Investigation 120 and Serious Corruption Investigation 22. We will analyze the 16 convicts in the coming months, as and when they are sentenced,” Lebeya said. .

In addition, the Priority Crime Specialized Investigation “contributed to the issuance of a total of 75 freezing and forfeiture orders”, amounting to more than R72 million.

“An amount of R8 178 798.87 has been deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account. These bring the total number of recorded successes in arrests, convictions and asset seizures to 1,194.

“(In) line with our motto of ‘Seek, Find and Strike’, the DPCI will continue to carry out its mandate without fear, favor or prejudice, in accordance with the Constitution and other laws of the Republic,” Lebeya said. – SAnews.gov.za