Latest news with #DirectorateforPriorityCrimeInvestigation
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Hawks arrest man after kidnapping of R300,000 RAF payout recipient
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping of a man who received a R300,000 Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout. The incident took place in Tsolo, on November 3, 2023, according to Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba. Fumba said the victim was approached by two unidentified men in Tsolo, who allegedly posed as RAF-affiliated doctors offering medical assistance. 'Under this false pretense, the victim was reportedly kidnapped and transported over 800 kilometers to Klerksdorp in the North West province,' Fumba said. 'While held against his will, the victim's bank account was allegedly drained, with funds transferred to accounts linked to the suspects.' Fumba said the victim was later located and safely reunited with his family. He said a breakthrough came when the Hawks' Eastern Cape-based Kidnapping Task Team, working with their North West counterparts, tracked one of the suspects to Klerksdorp. 'The 25-year-old was apprehended and is currently being transported to the Eastern Cape, where he is expected to appear before the Tsolo Magistrate's Court on Monday, May 26, 2025,' Fumba said.
IOL News
24-05-2025
- IOL News
Hawks arrest man after kidnapping of R300,000 RAF payout recipient
The Hawks have arrested a 25-year-old suspect in connection to a kidnapping case after a Tsolo man was lured by suspects posing as doctors and held captive for his R300,000 RAF payout. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping of a man who received a R300,000 Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout. The incident took place in Tsolo, on November 3, 2023, according to Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba. Fumba said the victim was approached by two unidentified men in Tsolo, who allegedly posed as RAF-affiliated doctors offering medical assistance. 'Under this false pretense, the victim was reportedly kidnapped and transported over 800 kilometers to Klerksdorp in the North West province,' Fumba said. 'While held against his will, the victim's bank account was allegedly drained, with funds transferred to accounts linked to the suspects.'
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Man arrested in Germiston for issuing threats against President Ramaphosa and Cape Town mayor
A 28-year-old suspect has been arrested in Germiston for allegedly issuing violent threats against South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and a Cape Town-based CEO. Image: File A 28-year-old man was arrested in Germiston, Gauteng, for allegedly making threats against President Cyril Ramaphosa, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, and Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town-based company. The arrest was made by the Crime Against The State (CATS) unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks), as part of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Gauteng. Western Cape Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo confirmed the arrest was made on Friday, May 23, 2025, following a case reported earlier this month. 'On Monday, May 12, 2025, a complainant, who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Cape Town-based company, allegedly received a voice message from the suspect, in which threats were made against the President of South Africa,' she said. Mbambo said the suspect is also alleged to have sent multiple threatening messages targeting the complainant, her family, and Hill-Lewis. She said the matter was reported to the Cape Town-based Hawks' CATS team, which conducted a swift investigation resulting in the suspect's apprehension in Gauteng. 'The suspect is currently being transported to Cape Town and is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday, May 26, 2025, where he will face a charge of intimidation,' Mbambo said. She added that investigations were ongoing. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In a separate incident, IOL News reported three weeks ago that the death threats levelled against Knysna Mayor Thando Matika in a voice note circulated in a WhatsApp group could be linked to the upcoming by-election in ward 8, following the resignation of former mayor, Aubrey Tsengwa. This is according to the African National Congress (ANC) Victor Molosi Region in Knysna, as police confirmed they have since launched an investigation into a case of intimidation. "The matter is investigated by our Provincial Detectives Serious and Violent Crime Investigations who have already identified a suspect. Upon completion of the investigation, the docket will be submitted to the Senior Public Prosecutor to decide whether prosecution will be instituted or not. No one has been arrested yet," said police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie. According to the ANC Youth League in the Victor Molosi Region, 'disturbing' voice notes had been circulating where a 'rogue individual' makes death threats against Matika's life. 'We are aware of organised attempts by a few to destabilise Knysna. These malicious efforts aim to undermine the progress and harmony achieved by the diligent work of the Mayor and his mayoral committee, which includes dedicated leaders of the ANCYL like Deputy Regional Convener Kay Andrews," it said. "We call on the authorities to thoroughly investigate these attempts and hold accountable those who seek to disrupt the peace and prosperity of Knysna. We take these threats with the utmost seriousness," the party said. 'Notably, in recent years, a Councillor was gunned down in front of his house in Knysna. These threats must not be taken lightly. We must learn to tolerate each other even at the height of disagreements. The criminal making these threats must be arrested and should expose the others he is referring to in the circulating voice notes.' Approached for further comment on the matter, spokesperson Moyisi Magalela said the person behind the voice note is a member but not part of leadership structures. 'We got to learn there are people who know him, who could identify him on the voice note he was sending. In the voice note he is talking about the mayor and his leadership style. It looks like he said there was an attempt before. Overall, he is saying the new mayor has big shoes to fill and questioning his leadership style. "Because of the past experience of Victor Molosi we told the mayor he must not take these things lightly. In that light he understands things are not normal and went to the police,' Magalela said. IOL News
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
R5 million fraud: Court orders forfeiture of house and vehicles linked to Covid-19 looting
The High Court in Mpumalanga has granted a forfeiture order for authorities to seize several assets including a house and vehicles which were acquired fraudulently through funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Image: File The High Court in Mbombela has issued a forfeiture order which empowers law enforcement officials to seize several assets which were acquired fraudulently through funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The Mpumalanga Department of Health lost millions of rand during the Covid-19 pandemic as an official working in a director's office engaged in fraudulent activities. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said through the secretary's fraudulent activities, the provincial department suffered a loss of almost R5 million in 2020. 'According to information, the secretary colluded with two service providers and allegedly faked the purchase and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, the service providers unlawfully benefitted from the products that were never delivered,' said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. After receiving the payments, it was established that the service providers purchased a residential property worth R1.5 million in Barberton. The house was registered in a company named Zanderson Establishment, with the sole director being the secretary's daughter. 'The house was later sold for the same amount. Shortly thereafter, the family bought another residential house in Sunninghill, Johannesburg,' said Nkosi. 'The house was then registered in the company named SS Umoya under the former secretary's name, Sanele Sanderson.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ After thorough investigations, the Hawks' asset investigation unit in Mpumalanga successfully obtained a preservation order to forfeit the house and three vehicles. Nkosi stated that the forfeited house is valued at R1.5 million, along with three vehicles owned by the two service providers. The forfeited vehicles include a Toyota Quantum, Hyundai light delivery vehicle, and a Volkswagen Golf. The vehicles have an estimated combined value of R1 million. Meanwhile, provincial head of Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber said the Hawks will continue with the criminal investigation. 'Benefits derived from proceeds of crime, as is the case in this matter, will be traced , restrained, forfeited and sold to recoup the state's losses. This is a clear example of law enforcement entities working in collaboration with one another,' said Gerber. The asset forfeiture unit of the National Prosecuting Authority and the asset investigation section of the Hawks collaborated and ensured the successful forfeiture of the property. 'This must send a stern message that we will seize assets no matter how it is disguised, if they are bought through proceeds of crime. Crime must not pay,' said Gerber. Provincial head of Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber said the Hawks will continue with the criminal investigation after the forfeiture of assets. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Newspapers Last year, IOL reported that various movable and immovable assets and property, valued at approximately R52.6 million were seized in an extensive joint operation linked to personal protective equipment corruption and Covid-19 looting. The operation was carried out in Mpumalanga by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Hawks. The assets and properties are linked to 22 senior management officials, service providers, and entities involved in an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works. IOL News
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Hawks arrest Nigerian man for drug dealing after he was released on bail for similar crime
Police said the Nigerian man, aged 40, was previously arrested for allegedly dealing in drugs in 2021 and was released on bail. Image: File/Hawks A 40-year-old Nigerian national has been arrested in Bethal, Mpumalanga for dealing in drugs, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks. Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi stated that the 40-year-old man was previously arrested for dealing in drugs. 'The suspect is currently out on bail on a separate but similar offence of dealing in drugs after he was arrested alongside 11 other suspects in Bethal in a Hawks Operation Dream On in June 2021,' said Nkosi. On Friday, the Nigerian national was arrested in a joint operation emanating from intelligence driven information including the Secunda crime intelligence unit, the Hawks Secunda-based serious organised crime investigation unit and the Secunda K9 unit. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. During the arrest, Nkosi said the 40-year-old man was found in possession of seven plastic bags of substances believed to be crystal meth, two plastic bags of substances believed to be kat as well as close to R10,000 in cash. 'The team proceeded to the suspect's residential place where his 34-year-old companion was found without any legal documents to be in South Africa,' said Nkosi. The arrested duo is expected to appear before the Bethal Magistrate's Court on Monday, 19 May 2025, for dealing in drugs and for contravention of the Immigration Act. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Meanwhile, provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber has welcomed the arrest, adding that a thorough investigation will be conducted. "We are not only interested in getting drugs off the streets, but our main focus is on the origin of drugs. Once we deal with manufacturers, we will have achieved our mission of rooting out drug related activities in the province," said Gerber. In February, IOL reported that five drug dealers were convicted and sentenced in Limpopo for drug-related offences and contravention of South Africa's Immigration Act. At the time, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said the five men were convicted by the Musina Regional Court. The Hawks listed the convicted men as Eze Chekuebwe Aloicios, 42; Chimankpam Prosper Ashame, 53; Dube Lebang David, 40; Chigozie Henry Okoro; and Okeke Peter Richard, 52. 'During 2021, the Musina-based Hawks serious organised crime investigation (unit) received a tip-off about suspicious people who were dealing in illicit drugs around Musina. The investigation was launched and the Hawks managed to identify accused, and the address of their operations,' said Mmuroa. IOL News
