By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
National Hawks head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya gave an update on the milestones achieved during the second quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year.
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.
He said he is happy with the conviction rate of suspects.
Lebeya 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.
Phala Phala Investigation
Lebeya said, they are still looking for two more suspects in connection with the robbery at President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm.
“There are obviously four legs that we deal with when we investigate what you normally package together as the Phala Phala. You should have noticed that we have already taken two of these matters to court were three individuals have been arrested.”
“And, as we are sitting here now, we are pursuing the other two. We will be able to communicate when we get hold of them. They are currently not in the country which is why it has not been easy to get hold of them like we have done with the others,” Lebeya said.
Earlier this month, two of the three suspects, Froliana Joseph and her brother David Joseph linked to the Phala Phala burglary were granted bail. The third, Imanuwela David, remains in custody.
They appeared in the Bela Bela District Court earlier this month on charges of theft, housebreaking with intent to steal, money laundering and conspiracy to commit robbery at the farm.
The theft came to light when former State Security Agency boss, Arthur Fraser, opened a case of kidnapping and money laundering against Ramaphosa, the head of the Presidential Protection Services Major-General, Wally Rhoode, and Crime Intelligence.
They were accused of concealing the robbery.
Among the allegations was the president paid off suspects, who stole millions in foreign currency that was stashed in the furniture on the farmhouse, in exchange for their silence.
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.
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