Latest news with #DirectorateforPriorityCrimesInvestigation
IOL News
30-07-2025
- IOL News
Former Hawks chief calls for calm amid controversial comments by Sandton businessman
Godfrey Lebeya, the former head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, has urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding a stand-off incident involving multiple law enforcement agencies in December. Image: Instagram Former head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, Godfrey Lebeya, has called on South Africans to stop speculating over who called him during the alleged stand-off between the Hawks and other law-enforcement agencies during an operation outside murder-accused Katiso Molefe's home last December. This comes as Johannesburg businessman and self-styled anti-corruption crusader Malcolm X revealed that his consulting business allows him access to some of the country's leading political figures, including police ministers, police commissioners and top businesspeople. Molefe alongside his three co-accused appeared for their bail application at the Alexandra Magistrates Court recently, where their case was postponed to August 6 with Malcom X - not to be confused with the late African-American civil rights activist -who now finds himself at the centre of a media storm after he claimed that he initiated the call to Lebeya, as law enforcement agencies descended on Molefe's Sandhurst home last year. 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. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading However, Lebeya has indicated that he will not be commenting any further on this matter, as everything will be ventilated once the Commission of Inquiry, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate serious allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within the South African Police Service (SAPS), kicks-off next month. "Thank you for your inquiry. The critical issue of who called and for what purpose has been settled. Now that the Commission is set to start in August, I shall provide any other details at the Commission. Thank you very much for your understanding," Lebeya stated. At the time of the alleged call by Malcolm X, reports indicate that police were effecting an arrest at Molefe's home concerning the murder of 30-year-old engineer, Armand Swart, who was shot 23 times inside in his vehicle by assailants travelling in a white vehicle, on April 17, 2024. As a result of ballistic reports and additional evidence on the AK47 used in Swart's murder, this week, Molefe was also slapped with additional charges for the alleged murder of another musician, Hector Buthelezi, known as DJ Vintos. The AK47 allegedly used in these two murders is also linked to the violent killing of Don Tindleni, and DJ Sumbody and the DJ's two bodyguards in Woodmead in November 2022. On Tuesday, Malcolm X, who in 2023 also appeared before the Alexandra Magistrate alongside three police officers on two counts of corruption and extortion, confirmed that he phoned Lebeya on the day Katiso 'KT' Molefe was arrested in December 2024, amid ongoing probes into the murder of popular musicians and other high-profile personalities. While speaking during a Space conversation on the social media platform X, the controversial businessman claimed that his consulting business, with interests in mining, law, and engineering has allowed him access to some of the biggest names in various industries. This comes as KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in a widely circulated press briefing, alleged that certain businesspeople with ties to senior police figures were interfering with investigations. "I run a consulting business. My business allows me freedom and access to ministers, lawyers, doctors, police commissioners, and ministers. If you say you want to meet with the President, I can arrange you are to say to me how Lebeya and I met for the first time. I would say to you, I was consulted by a client, who said, Malcolm, can you meet Lebeya for me for this matter. I said to the client, I can do that. I had not met Lebeya at the time. I had spoken to him before that. I then called him and asked for a meeting, and he invited me to his office in Pretoria, then we met," he said. He added that on the day, he received a call from one of his clients, believed to be related to Molefe, who wanted him to ascertain if the law enforcement agencies outside Molefe's Sandton home were genuine police officers. As a result, he said, he drove for less than five minutes to Molefe's home, where his enquiries were met with resistance, prompting him to call Lebeya. "When one of my clients called me, saying there are people who say they are policemen and women at my brother's house, in Sandhurst, please verify if they are policemen or not. If they are policemen, please ask them if we can involve a lawyer. If my brother is being arrested, they can tell us where they are taking him... I went there and tried to speak to them...I then called the minister of police, but he did not pick up, and then I called Lebeya, and he picked up. I said to him, General, there are people here who claim they are policemen sent by you, the Hawks, but they will not produce their identification, can you verify?" Malcolm X said.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bogus lawyer ordered to pay back murder accused client's R40k
The fake lawyer was rearrested after his sentencing for another fraud case in Gauteng. A 32-year-old man has been ordered to pay back money he received unlawfully from a client while posing as a lawyer back in 2019. On Thursday, the Bethal Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga instructed Doctor Sobetha to pay back R40 000 he received from a client that he tried to conduct a bail application for. Four-year sentence Sobetha has been ordered to pay the client – who was charged with murder – R3 000 in monthly instalments until the last cent is paid up. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), the order to pay back the money was made in addition to a sentence of four years behind bars, with the option to pay a R20 000 fine. This was after the bogus lawyer pleaded guilty to the charges. 'Two years of his four-year imprisonment were suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence,' Hawks regional spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said. Sobetha arrested in court The bogus lawyer was arrested after a state prosecutor found fault in his arguments during court proceedings. Sobetha was then asked to prove that he was a legal practitioner before the court, but failed to do so. ALSO READ: Bogus doctor bust in Havenside sting operation He was arrested by members of the Secunda-based Serious Organised Crime investigation unit who were in attendance. Hawks nab bogus lawyer in KZN 'The matter was referred to the Hawks Secunda-based Serious Commercial Crime investigation unit for further investigation. The suspect, Sobetha, was granted bail in 2024 and never set foot in court again,' Nkosi said. 'Investigation led members of the Hawks' tactical operations management system to Durban, where the suspect was arrested on 22 May 2025.' Sobetha was brought back to Mpumalanga, where he first appeared in the Bethal Magistrate's Court on 30 May. Sobetha rearrested after sentencing He was rearrested immediately after sentencing on Thursday for a fraud case in Moroka, Gauteng, dating back to 2023. He is now in police custody in Gauteng. Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber warned people to only consult with registered legal advisers. 'It is concerning if people are defrauded by people like Sobetha whose formal education does not even go beyond high school level,' Gerber said. NOW READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
IOL News
05-06-2025
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg businesswoman accused of defrauding Covid-19 TERS of R4 million
File A Pietermaritzburg businesswoman has been arrrested for allegedly defrauding the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Almost three years after a Pietermaritzburg businesswoman allegedly defrauded the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) of millions, she made her first appearance in court this week. Sindisiwe Mdluli-Myeza was arrested on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) on charges of fraud and money laundering. According to Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, it is alleged that during the period between November 2020 and October 2022, Mdluli-Myeza applied for the Covid-19 relief fund from the Department of Employment and Labour. "She claimed R4,229,044.61 from the Temporary Employee Relief Scheme. Preliminary investigation revealed that no employees were employed by her company, and the company was not entitled to claim."
IOL News
28-05-2025
- IOL News
Limpopo driving school instructors, traffic examiners arrested for fraud
The Hawks in Limpopo have arrested four suspects at the Lephalale Police Station in a driving license fraud case. Two driving school instructors, a traffic examiner, and a former traffic officer have been nabbed in connection with the fraudulent issuing of driver's licences. The four were arrested on Wednesday morning in Limpopo by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) on allegations of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested in the Lephalale area and are expected to appear in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court today. Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, it is alleged that in 2021, examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station colluded with the driving school owners and defrauded the Department of Road and Transport by issuing learner's and driver's licenses without following proper procedures in exchange for bribes. 'The information was brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC),' Mmuroa said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
Fraudster posing as US government official swindles R100,000 from victim
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
