By Thapelo Molefe
The Hawks have delivered a resounding blow to criminal networks across South Africa, securing 1452 arrests and achieving 32 life imprisonment sentences in the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
The latest quarterly operation targeted high-profile crimes, including corruption, organised crime, police murders, cybercrime, cash-in-transit heists and illegal mining.
Of these, 1172 arrests stemmed from Serious Organised Crime investigations, 234 from Serious Commercial Crime, and 46 from Serious Corruption cases. The North West recorded the highest number of arrests at 919, while Gauteng followed with 116 arrests.
“These arrests and convictions send a clear message [that] criminals will be held accountable,” said the head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya.
“We remain steadfast in our duty to protect citizens and dismantle these dangerous syndicates.”
Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said among the most significant breakthroughs was the takedown of illegal mining syndicates, leading to
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