National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, accompanied by his top management, has reported significant progress in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, thus ensuring accountability and justice for victims of crime.

The DPCI’s arrests have targeted individuals involved in national priority offenses, including serious corruption, serious organised crime, serious commercial crime, fraud, money laundering, police killings, cash-in-transit robberies, illegal mining, damage to essential infrastructure, theft of fuel from pipelines, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, and trafficking in endangered species.

During a media briefing held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria, Lt Gen Lebeya outlined progress and milestones achieved during the fourth and final quarter of the financial year 2023/2024. He stated that 547 suspects, including 526 natural persons and 21 juristic persons, were brought before the country’s various courts.

“Of these natural persons, 421, which is 80%, are South Africans, while 105, which is 20%, are foreign nationals,” Lt Gen Lebeya said. Fraud contributed to the highest number of arrests, with 224 accused, including 21 juristic persons.

“A total of 182 convictions, including seven juristic persons, were secured, with 84 convictions emanating from Serious Organised Crime, 61 from Serious Commercial Crime, and 37 from Serious Corruption. Of these convicts, 120 are South Africans, while 55, representing 30%, are foreign nationals. The top convicted foreign nationals were Zimbabwean, with 11 Basotho and Mozambican nationals each representing nine accused persons,” Lt Gen Lebeya said.

Outlining the progress made, Lt Gen Lebeya highlighted that the top two provinces contributing to the highest number of convictions were Gauteng with 32 and North West with 31. “During this period, 736 firearms, 1159 rounds of ammunition, and 69 explosives were seized during sting operations,” he said.

Addressing the issue of police killings, Lt Gen Lebeya emphasised that an attack on a police officer is an attack on the State. “Police officers are a protective layer ensuring that law-abiding people are protected against criminals,” he said. Lt Gen Lebeya reported that 22 police officials, 17 off duty and five on duty, were murdered during the period. “We responded and effected 18 arrests. Furthermore, eight accused have been sentenced, five of whom were given life imprisonment sentences,” he said.

The National DPCI Head also reported that four men are in custody for the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Sikhetho Samuel Mawila (63), who was attached to the Durban Hawks’ Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Investigation team.

According to Lt Gen Lebeya, Mawila left his residence in Tsakane, traveling in his private vehicle to Durban where he worked. On 8 January, Mawila’s lifeless body was found in an open field in Tsakane extension 19. In the early hours of 17 January 2024, four suspects, two South Africans and two Mozambicans—Andile Modiba (44), Bongani Malinga (39), Louis Mondlane (25), and Gilda Matsinhe (23)—were arrested in Tsakane by the Germiston-based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, with assistance from other law enforcement agencies.

Regarding cash-in-transit robberies, Lt Gen Lebeya noted that these heists remain a significant issue in the country.

“The DPCI, in collaboration with private organisations, continues to strengthen the fight against these crimes. CIT robbers are ruthless and do not care about the lives of bystanders. For this quarter, 51 cases were reported, 20 arrests were made, and 15 convictions were secured,” he said.

Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the DPCI is successfully disrupting criminal networks operating in the country. Among the cases heard by the Eastern Cape High Court sitting at Makhanda was that of Lwando Ntiyantiya (36) and Nkosekhaya Lloyd (38), who were found guilty on four counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. The duo was each sentenced to life imprisonment for the crimes committed.

Other notable successes include the recovery of drugs valued at R47 224 231.20, with 68 suspects arrested, of which 42 (61.76%) are South African nationals and 25 (36.76%) are foreign nationals. Lt Gen Lebeya also mentioned that five drug laboratories were dismantled, with a total value of R27 970 180, and 15 suspects were arrested.
Dealing with illegal mining, which is high on the government’s agenda, resulted in 39 suspects (15 South Africans and 24 foreign nationals) being taken into police custody. Thirty-six suspects (nine South Africans and 27 foreign nationals) were convicted for minerals-related offenses during the period under review.