By Thapelo Molefe
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, reported over 1000 significant law enforcement achievements in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
National Head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya delivered the report during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday. It was followed by a handover of a new fleet to the directorate.
Lebeya announced that the DPCI had recorded 656 arrests, 266 convictions and 102 asset recoveries for the reporting period.
“These performances make the total recorded successes on arrests, convictions and attachment of assets to 1024,” he said.
The arrests involved a range of serious crimes, including corruption, organised crime, commercial crime, kidnapping cash-in-transit robberies, police killings cybercrime, human trafficking and illegal mining.
Lebeya highlighted the scope and reach of these operations, explaining that most arrests took place in Gauteng, followed by North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the Free State.
“We must emphasise that criminality knows no borders,” he added, noting that nearly 26% of the accused were foreign nationals, with transnational crime syndicates increasingly posing a threat.
Another concerning issue was the continued targeting of law enforcement officials, with 16 killed off duty and six while working.
“There exists a blue wall in South Africa. A human wall formed by men and women in blue. The stronger the wall, the safer the community. The weaker the wall, the happier the criminals,” Lebeya said.
“An attack on police officials is an assault on society and indeed, an attack on the State.”
The Hawks responded with 38 arrests and secured 14 convictions, which included 11 life sentences and an additional 487 years of imprisonment. He cited the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius in Mpumalanga, where a multi-disciplinary team apprehended suspects within hours.
In addition to their response to violence against police, the Hawks intensified operations targeting cash-in-transit (CIT) heists.
It dealt with 50 CIT-related incidents and arrested 54 suspects. Ten were killed during shootouts with the police.
“It is comforting that no one was released on bail,” said Lebeya, reflecting the severity of these crimes.
In a case that he described as a major victory for public safety, a gang involved in a 2018 Boksburg robbery was handed sentences ranging from 36 to 40 years.
“These sentences mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against violent crimes and serve as a stern warning to those who seek to undermine the safety and security of our communities,” Lebeya declared.
Corruption remained a central theme of the briefing.
“Corruption continues to pose a challenge in the country and the directorate shall respond without fear, favour or prejudice,” he said.
A range of high-profile figures, including a politician, senior law enforcement officials and local government employees were among those arrested or prosecuted.
Former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo was rearrested following a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling and Prince Adil Nchabeleng, who is an MP, was charged in a matter involving the misappropriation of estate funds.
A Hawks brigadier at national head office was charged with attempting to interfere in a criminal investigation allegedly in exchange for favours.
“No one, regardless of their position or rank within the directorate, will be allowed to undermine our core values or the trust the public places in us,” Lebeya said.
During this same quarter, 33 police officials were arrested for crimes including fraud, corruption, robbery and murder.
“Those who betray that trust need to take full responsibility and the Legal Practice Council should continue to police those who breach professional ethics,” Lebeya warned.
The Hawks also made strides in cybercrime investigations. The Digital Forensic Section processed over 300 electronic devices in under 90 days, and a major arrest in Johannesburg uncovered a sophisticated SIM card cloning operation allegedly led by a Kenyan national.
This was Lebeya’s last quarterly briefing. He is retiring at the end of the month.
INSIDE POLITICS