By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya announced on Friday that 2 241 statements have been obtained in 53 cases addressing State capture recommendations, as he pledged to ensure that the Hawks prioritise these investigations.
Lebeya and his management held a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the third quarter of financial year 2024/2025.
He said they were making progress on recommendations made by the state capture commission.
Lebeya did not rule out more state capture-related arrests. “We can always expect arrests on that, ” he said.
“As soon as the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] is satisfied that the evidence that has been collected is sufficient for a decision [to prosecute], they will make that decision, and we secure the attendance of the suspects in court.
“At times, we may believe that we have completed the investigation to the satisfaction of the investigating team, but the National Prosecuting Authority that is authorised to decide on behalf of the state may still require additional information. Investigations are ongoing and nothing will be left unattended,” Lebeya explained.
The NPA has faced criticism for its slow progress in prosecuting state capture-related crimes.
Lebeya pointed out that during the third quarter a total of 1 452 suspects – 1 409 natural persons and 43 juristic – were secured before the various courts in the country.
He said of these arrests, 451 people, representing 32%, were South Africans while 958 people, representing 68%, were foreign nationals.
He also pointed to the second quarter, highlighting that out of the 800 natural persons that were secured before court, 331 people, or 41%, were South Africans while 469, or 59%, were foreign nationals.
“Of the 1 452 suspects, the serious organised crime investigation secured 1 172, the serious commercial crime investigation secured 234 while the serious corruption investigation secured 46 suspects,” he explained.
Tax-Related Matters
The DPCI announced that it was investigating 738 South African Revenue Service- (Sars-) related cases.
Lebeya said of these cases, 229 were pending at court, 266 were under investigation while 243 were sent to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.
He highlighted that among the successes achieved in this quarter, were that 78 of those included securing attendance in court and while 16 convictions for tax-related offences were obtained.
“The sentences of the accused, who are a combination of natural persons and juristic persons, included orders of payment of a total amount of R14 947 391.11 to Sars, “he said.
South African Airways
Lebeya announced that a case involving former South African Airways director Yakwe Kwinana had been postponed to March 12, for the defence to make a representation.
Kwinana appeared at Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where she was granted R20 000 bail.
On 26 November 2024, Kwinana handed herself over to the Serious Corruption Investigation team in Germiston.
“Yakwe Kwinana (60) was a member of the board that deliberated and recommended appointments of the two firms, and she voted in favour of the resolution of the board. While being aware that PwC and Nkonki had tendered for these services, she failed to disclose past contractual relationships with the said companies, which caused prejudice to the proper administration of the affairs of SAA, “explained Lebeya.
He said this contravened the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The public entity made payments amounting to about R59-million because of the conclusion of a contract, which would not have occurred if all the material facts relating to the relationship between the accused and the two companies were known to the board of directors of SAA.