Firoz Cachalia vows to enhance DPCI's effectiveness against organised crime

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has committed to prioritising building the capacity of the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to be refocused to deal with organised crime.

Cachalia said the capacity of the DPCI, as an important investigative structure, was not where it should be at the moment.

“Although it does have important capabilities, building this capacity is going to be one of my priorities precisely because, as I have indicated on numerous occasions, organised crime is a growing problem.

“I believe that the DPCI should be focused on organised crime. It has multiple mandates,” he said.

Cachalia stated his agreement with the National Anti-Corruption Council's recommendation to President Cyril Ramaphosa that the DPCI should be refocused on tackling organised crime.

“Obviously, this is a matter that will have to be under consideration in the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security cluster, and the Cabinet,” he said.

Cachalia was responding to DA MP Ian Cameron, who noted that the DPCI has faced significant capacity constraints since its establishment, essentially fighting with their hands tied behind their backs.

“Too often, foot soldiers are arrested while the kingpins ordering these assassinations walk free,” Cameron said.

Three months ago, it was reported that the DPCI was operating with almost half the personnel provided for in its organogram.

The top brass of the directorate told the Standing Committee on Public Accounts that the staff complement stood at 2688, including detectives and support staff, out of the 5332.

Cameron also asked about the reasons for the delay in the progress in the 2021 murder of Babita Deokaran, who flagged R850 million in an expenditure at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng.

He wanted to know why the Hawks had never been held to account for ignoring evidence that could have broken the case open, including evidence in her laptop and phone that they seized but failed to examine.

In his response, Cachalia said he has been informed that the DPCI was prioritising the prosecution-driven investigation.

“The investigating team is following multiple leads in the case, and the investigation is ongoing,” said the minister.

He stated that he was advised that the team was pursuing all available evidence, and each piece of evidence has been treated with the utmost care, including forensic investigations on laptops and cellphones of individuals linked to the case.

“I have been informed that no evidence was ignored by the investigating team. My office will continue to monitor the case,” Cachalia said.

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip asked: “When can we expect some arrests?” 

Cachalia said he had answered to the best of his abilities.

“I share your outrage, really, on this matter, since I think the public, the family, and the public have a right to expect a conclusion of this matter. Until then, justice would not be done,” the minister said.

Cachalia expressed concern at the rising trend of the assassination of whistle-blowers.

“I have directed the national commissioner to monitor these assassinations of whistle-blowing public officials, including councillors, after a submission was received from Premier (Panyaza) Lesufi to monitor these cases and keep my office informed.” 

He said the killings of whistle-blowers and prosecutors were not isolated events.

“This is yet more evidence of a growing problem of organised syndicated crime, often aimed at covering up corruption, as was the case with the murder of Babita Deokaran.”

Cachalia said the cases should be properly investigated so that perpetrators can be prosecuted, while families are informed and the police publicly held accountable.

“I have raised this matter with the national commissioner in writing and asked him for regular updates, and I will certainly be more than willing to share information with Members of Parliament, of course, subject to one caveat, perhaps, that where there are ongoing investigations, it would be irresponsible for me to share information which compromises the investigations.”

Cape Times