WeeklySA_AdminFOCUS: The unit targeted national priority offences, including corruption, organised crime, fraud, police killings, cash-in-transit robberies and illegal mining…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
Hawks made significant inroads into cracking high-profile cases during the fourth and last quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, arresting 547 suspects between January and March this year.
This was revealed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya while addressing the media in Tshwane yesterday.
Lebea said the DPCI – also known as Hawks – targeted persons involved in the commission of national priority offences, including corruption, organised crime, commercial crime, fraud, money laundering, police killings, cash-in-transit robberies, illegal mining, damage to essential infrastructure, theft of fuel from pipelines, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and trafficking in endangered species.
Fraud contributed the highest number of arrests with 224 accused, including 21 juristic persons. Gauteng province contributed more arrests followed by North West province.”
Lebeya said while the number of cash-in-transit robberies remains a concern due to their violent nature, collaborative efforts between the Hawks and private security have yielded some results.
“For this quarter, 51 cases were reported, 20 arrests effected, and 15 convictions were secured,” Lebeya reported.
“On 19 February 2024, the Eastern Cape High Court division sitting at Makhanda sentenced Lwando Ntiyantiya (36) and Nkosekhaya Lloyd (38) for four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.”
The pair were linked to the March 2022 robbery of a G4S money truck in Centane.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years imprisonment for four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances each, five years imprisonment for three counts of attempted murder each, ten years imprisonment for three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm each, and three years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition.
Drug Labs
The Hawks say they are succeeding in disrupting drug networks in the country. Drugs valued at R47 million were seized, with a total number of 68 suspects arrested, of which 42 are South African and 25 foreign nationals. In the period under review, five drug laboratories were dismantled with a total value of over R30 million, and 15 suspects were arrested. “On 12 February 2024, members of the Germiston-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team conducted a search at a dilapidated factory at Pulley Street, Boltonia, Krugersdorp West, where they discovered a super clandestine drug laboratory with large quantities of an assortment of methamphetamine producing chemicals. “Nine suspects, seven Malawians and two South Africans.”
“The suspects were denied bail in mid-June, and the matter is expected back in court in September.”
Illegal Mining
According to the Hawks head, most suspects arrested for illegal mining in the latest quarter are foreign nationals. A multi-disciplinary police team under Operation Vala Umgodi has been flushing illegal miners from hotspots.
Meanwhile, last month, police shot and killed an alleged illicit mining kingpin who was a Lesotho national who was linked to at least 29 illegal mining-related murders in Florida and Nomzamo Park tavern in Soweto, where 16 people were killed in a mass shooting two years ago.
Cop Killings
Twenty-two (22) police officials were murdered during the fourth quarter, and 18 people have since been arrested. “Eight accused have been sentenced, five of whom were given life imprisonment sentences.” Seventeen of the murdered officers were killed while off duty, while five were in the line of duty.
Phala Phala
Lebeya said they’re waiting to hear from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) over the Phala Phala case. The burglary, in which $580,000 in cash was stolen, came to light in June 2022 when former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general Arthur Fraser lodged a complaint with the police. Fraser alleged a cover-up by president Cyril Ramaphosa and his head of security, Wally Rhoode.
Lebeya suggested that investigations into the Phala Phala burglary were still ongoing. “Let’s rest assured that all is being done. You will recall that part of the suspects that were involved are appearing in court,” he said in reference to the arrests of alleged Phala Phala farm theft mastermind, Imanuwela David, and his co-accused.
The three accused, who are facing charges of housebreaking, theft and conspiracy to commit housebreaking with intent to steal, will be back in the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court on 20 August 2024. Without disclosing any details, Lebeya indicated that the Hawks were waiting to hear from the NPA.
“Part of the investigation [is that] we are waiting for a decision from the NPA. [Another] part of the investigation [is that] we are waiting for our colleague from outside the country to assist in looking at a particular portion of evidence that we are looking for.
Mirror Briefs
R1m BORDER BUST: 5 HELD
The Border Management Authority (BMA) nabbed five Lesotho nationals in possession of a large amount of money concealed in black plastic bags. BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi says a vehicle was stopped as part of routine checks.
“Five Lesotho nationals were in the vehicle and four were found to be previously declared undesirable and had been banned from entering the country in terms of the Immigration Act.
“The above-mentioned persons were searched and found to be in possession of concealed South African currency worth R1 480 050.” “The four, who did not have the requisite documents, were arrested for being in South Africa illegally and a case was opened. “The money which was counted, and underwent counterfeit verifications, was then deposited into the state bank account pending further investigations on the matter,” said Mogotsi. – a Lehlohonolo Lehana
eTHEKWINI: GOVT INTERVENES
KZN Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has announced that the eThekwini Municipality has been placed under administration. The intervention involves provincial government oversight and assistance to address various issues plaguing the municipality.
Buthelezi said the intervention is to restore eThekwini to its former glory as the “jewel in the crown of KZN”.
Former city manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe and former Presidency director-general Dr Cassius Lubisi have been appointed as governance experts to lead the process.
The two have been appointed under Section 154 of the Constitution, which states that “The national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other measures, must support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions”. – Lehlohonolo Lehana
EFF’S DLAMINI SENTENCED
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary-general Marshall Dlamini has been sentenced in the Cape Town Regional Court to 18 months in prison, suspended for five years, for assaulting policeman Johan Carstens in Parliament in 2019.
Dlamini was also sentenced to a fine of R6 000 or three months in prison for malicious damage to property. “I am prepared to accept that, indeed, a lesson had been learned,” said Magistrate Nasha Banwari in pre-sentencing remarks about why she had not chosen a custodial sentence.
Dlamini was charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, as well as damage to property, following an incident after the 2019 State of the Nation Address.
Banwari convicted him of assaulting Carstens and breaking his glasses during the incident in the lobby of the National Assembly on 7 February 2019. In his defence, Dlamini claimed that he thought EFF leader Julius Malema was going to be attacked.
The red berets said Dlamini intends to appeal both the judgment and the conviction by the Cape Town Magistrates Court.
“The rationale used by the court in its sentencing reaffirms our view that the case in its entirety was vindictive and is part of a broader attempt to provoke and then criminalise the leadership of the EFF. – Jenni Evans
BEWARE TENDER SCAMS
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has warned the public of an email scam targeting individuals and companies that have submitted bids for tenders.
“The department urges the public not to fall for this scam, which instructs bidders to call a specific cell phone number to arrange a meeting.”
The department explained that the tender process is transparent.
“Once a bid is closed, there will be no further correspondence with bidders unless clarification is needed, which will be provided in the form of a written letter on official letterhead.
“Additionally, any response will be delivered in writing, not through meetings in person at random venues. Successful bidders will receive a formal letter before any official meetings are arranged to discuss awarded work,” the department said yesterday.
Anyone who has received such email correspondence is urged to contact the department’s risk office on e-mail: duduzle.malebo@gauteng.gov.za. – SAnews
FS PREMIER CHARTS NEW PATH
Newly inaugurated Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has emphasised the urgent need for a dedicated public service, spearheaded by selfless and noble public servants.
Letsoha-Mathae said this when she met with the officials in the Office of the Premier at the Bram Fischer Building in Bloemfontein yesterday.
Addressing the officials, the Premier stressed the importance of creativity, hard work and collective effort to combat the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
“As we embark on this new journey, I implore you to remember that we are not just public servants, but patriotic citizens tasked with building a united, democratic, non-sexist, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa.
“Let us work together to deliver quality services to our people and make the Free State a beacon of hope and excellence,” Letshoha-Mathae said.
The Premier emphasised participatory democracy, urging public servants to take an active role in addressing societal issues. – SAnews
