By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, says significant inroads have been made in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases.
The DPCI’s arrests have targeted persons involved in the commission of national priority offences, including serious corruption, serious organised crime, serious 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.
Addressing the media in Tshwane, Lebeya said 547 people were arrested between January and March.
Fraud contributed the highest number of arrests with two hundred and twenty-four (224) accused, including 21 juristic persons. Gauteng province contributed more arrests followed by North West province.”
Cash-in-Transit Roberries
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 were 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 says 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.
“That’s [what] one can say that is the status of the matters relating to Phala Phala. You’ll understand that I’m speaking of three separate cases, but all relating to what you generally call Phala Phala,” the Hawks head explained.
VBS Bank
Lebeya also said they had made progress in the VBS bank corruption investigation, where on 5 March, they arrested the chief financial officer and acting municipal manager for the Greater Giyani Local Municipality, Risimati Hitler Maluleke (64), on charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act, corruption and money laundering.
He said the State Capture National Investigation Task Team was focusing on conducting a comprehensive investigation, transforming inquiries into case dockets.
Rhoode and Fraser’s Case
Meanwhile the case against Rhoode and Fraser has been dropped.
Two years ago, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan laid criminal charges, asking the National Prosecuting Authority to reopen tender fraud charges against Rhoode and other charges against Fraser for theft of money belonging to the State Security Agency.
State Capture
He added that 2 241 statements have been obtained in 53 cases, which were addressing state capture recommendations.
He also said that the Hawks arrested 27 suspects, with six suspects in Bosasa before the cases were taken over by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, making the total arrest of 33 suspects and recovering over R400 million.