Hawks hard at work in dealing with national priority offences

The Directory for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is hard at work in dealing with national priority offences.

This is according to the National Head for the Directory for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, who briefed media on Thursday.

Giving an update on the Hawks’ second quarter of 2023/24 financial year report, Lebeya said at least 801 suspects were arrested nationally, which is made of 791 natural persons and 10 juristic persons, who were secured before the various courts across the country.

Lebeya said he is happy with the conviction rate of suspects.

He said 244 accused persons, consisting of 234 natural persons and 10 juristic persons, were convicted and sentenced.

“The top five national priority offences contributed a high number of arrests of 173 suspects for fraud, 172 for precious metals and diamonds, 52 for narcotics, 48 for cash-in-transit robberies (CIT) and 37 for corruption.”

During these arrests, the DPCI seized various exhibits including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R92 407 269.33.

“In terms of crime categories relating to convictions, out of the 244 convictions, fraud contributed the highest number of 75, which is made of 62 South Africans, six foreign nationals and seven companies.

“The second is precious metals and diamonds with a total number of 51 accused persons. In terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA), a total number of 30 accused persons and two companies were convicted for a pattern of racketeering activity and money laundering.

“In terms of nationalities relating to conviction and sentences, 193 are South Africans, while 84 are foreign nationals,” Lebeya said.

The foreign nationals consisted of 48 Zimbabweans, seven Chinese, seven Mozambicans, four Nigerians, three Tanzanians, three Basotho, three Pakistanis, three Ethiopians, two Bangladeshis, two Zambians, one Canadian and one Ghanaian.

Police killings

Lebeya said attacks on police officials are an attack on the State and that the death of one police official is one too many.

He said 35 police officials were murdered in the second quarter, and 37 arrests were made, of which 10 are for older cases.

“Furthermore, of the 10 who have been sentenced, five accused persons were sentenced to share 10 life imprisonments and a combined 391 years imprisonment.”

Illegal mining

With regard to illegal mining, 172 suspects were arrested by the DPCI for precious metals and diamonds.

“We have conducted illegal mining disruptive operations and arrested a number of people, including seizing a number of equipment,” he said.

Among the things seized in one of the illegal mines include three rifles, ammunition, unwrought precious metals, food items, medicine and gold refining paraphernalia.

Kidnappings, drugs and CITs

With regard to kidnappings, a total number of 40 suspects were arrested on kidnapping related charges and 11 victims were rescued by a multidisciplinary kidnapping task team.

Lebeya said drugs, including clandestine laboratories valued at R11 086 284.00, were seized, with total number of 52 suspects arrested, of which 30 are South African nationals and 22 are foreign nationals.

“It is therefore imperative to educate our communities to stop the demand of drugs whilst law enforces to stop the supply.”

Meanwhile, cash-in transit heists continue to be a thorn in the economy of the country and the DPCI, in collaboration with private organisations, continues to strengthen the fight against these crimes.

“For this quarter, 48 arrests were effected and two convictions secured,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za