The National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya and his management holding a media briefing to outline progress and take stock of milestones achieved during the second quarter of financial year 2024/2025.
Cape Town - In a stark reminder of the dangers facing law enforcement officials, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, reported that the killing of police officers remains a national priority offence.
During a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Godfrey Lebeya, the National Head of the DPCI, unveiled chilling statistics reflecting an ongoing battle against police killings and organised crime, which remain a top-tier concern for South African authorities.
Between July and September, the country saw 17 police officials tragically murdered, with 13 of those fatalities occurring while they were off duty. This shocking figure is part of a broader trend that underscores the serious threats facing those sworn to protect public safety.
However, in the face of this violence, the DPCI has made significant strides. In the same quarter, the unit achieved 17 arrests related to these homicides and secured seven convictions, including four life imprisonment sentences. One particularly notable case highlighted by Lebeya was the sentencing of Constable Asanda Siyoko, who was gunned down in 2020 while performing her duties as part of the Nyanga Crime Prevention Unit. Her tragic death continues to resonate deeply within the policing community.
Lebeya emphasised the Hawks’ commitment to addressing a wide spectrum of serious crimes, including corruption, organised crime, commercial crime, and more. In total, 818 suspects were apprehended during this quarter, broken down by 489 by the Serious Organised Crime Investigation, 209 by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, and 120 by the Serious Corruption Investigation. Notably, Gauteng led the charge in arrests, with 192 suspects detained, followed closely by the North West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.
The briefing also shed light on the DPCI's financial recovery efforts, with the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) facilitating 75 freezing and forfeiture orders amounting to over R72 million. In a significant step to combat financial crime, R8.2 million has also been deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA).
Drug trafficking, described by Lebeya as one of the most visible forms of transnational organised crime, has not waned in South Africa. The emergence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than traditional drugs, has raised alarming concerns. In 2024 alone, a suspect was arrested in Cape Town with fentanyl, leading to further investigations into the distribution of this dangerous substance.
Illegal mining continues to pose a serious threat, as highlighted by Lebeya’s call for protective measures for the vulnerable industry. The Hawks have also ramped up their operations against dealers of drugs and firearms. Recent police actions led to the arrest of nine suspects for drug possession and illegal firearms, as well as a Nigerian man in Oudtshoorn with methamphetamine worth R92,750.
As the Hawks press on in their efforts to combat both the killings of police officials and the pervasive corruption intertwined with organised crime, South Africa watches closely, hoping for a future where those who serve and protect face less peril.
shakirah.thebus@inl.co.za
Cape Argus
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