Hawks claim progress in fight against organised crimes

The directorate for priority crime investigation – the Hawks – says they are making progress in clamping down on organised crime throughout the country.

Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya says they are not ruling out the possibility of more arrests in state capture-related crimes.

At least 38 people have been arrested so far acting on the recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of state capture.

Illegal mining, cash-in-transit heists, fraud, and corruption are among the serious crimes Lebeya touched on.

The Hawks believe they are making significant strides in bringing to book those involved in organised crime.

North West province saw the largest number of arrests including those involved in illegal mining at the Stilfontein mine.

“May I hasten to say that the North West figure is incorporating the 854 illegal mining cases that were allocated to the DPCI from operation Vala Umgodi at Stilfonten, which added to 21 arrests from organised crime projects named tarantula and grumpy face operations,” Lebeya explains.

While police killings remain prevalent, Lebeya says those responsible for the murder of men and women in blue will not go unpunished.

“An attack of police official is an assault on society and indeed attack on the State. We categorised the killing of police officials as a national priority offence that requires the attention of the DPCI. During this period, thirteen police officials were murdered of which eight were off duty while five were on duty. Thirty arrests and seven convictions with 22 life imprisonment sentences and 725 years imprisonment were secured,” adds Lebeya.

Other violent-related crimes include cash-in-transit heist.

“During the second quarter update, I reported that: on 07 June 2019, Crime Intelligence and Flying Squad received information regarding the robbery that was to take place in Evaton. The information was operationalised and seven suspects were arrested. During the attempt to arrest the suspects, gunfire was exchanged between the gang and the police.

“As a result, one of the suspects Dennis John Hlatswayo was killed. The suspects also fired at the arresting team of nine, which constituted nine counts of attempted murder. Four motor vehicles, including stolen ones, were seized,” says Lebeya.

The Hawks have reiterated that they will continue to clamp down on organised crime and ensure that they secure hefty prison sentences.

Hawks Head briefs the media: