Police Minister Bheki Cele on Monday expressed confidence in the work of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), or the Hawks, and handed over a new fleet of cars to improve response time and broaden the footprint of the DPCI across the country.

Cele handed over 22 VW Golf 8 GTIs to the DPCI in Pretoria, where he said it was through these vehicles that Hawks detectives could attend to court cases and give valuable evidence on their investigations. 

For the 2023/24 financial year, the DPCI procured 62 motor vehicles, 40 VW Polo sedans and 22 VW Golf 8 GTIs.

He noted that transport resources were an indispensable addition in the fight against day-to-day and organised crime, and said he had no doubt that the vehicles would have a major impact in the fight against crime.

“But for the DPCI, the ability to swiftly respond to intelligence information and act on a crime that is about to be committed, these vehicles can mean a difference between life and death. When organised crime gangs and those who kill police officers attempt to flee, using high-powered vehicles; these cars will ensure we are on their toes and we stop them in their tracks,” he said.

Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said members of the DPCI were determined to deal with national priority offences.

Cele said the DPCI should use the cars with the utmost care and diligence.

“I implore managers to ensure that these cars and all vital resources of the South African Police Services, be used to foster community relations. It is a non-negotiable that these resources also go towards creating a safe and secure environment for the citizens of this country,” he said.

He also warned officers who would be driving the cars to remember that the vehicles were procured for a specific purpose.

“It goes without saying that these vehicles are not here for your personal pleasure. At all times, use these tools of trade responsibly. These cars are here to improve your work and make a difference in the country's fight against crime and criminality,” he said.

He added that the branding of each vehicle also served as a marketing tool of the Directorate during crime awareness campaigns, as well as visibility during the execution of disruptive planned operations.
 
He urged the DPCI to arrest those that were enriching themselves with grant funds meant for the poor and added that the DPCI must go hard on serious organised crimes.

Commercial and serious corruption investigations must be dealt a heavy blow, he said.

POLICE KILLINGS

Meanwhile, Lebeya said 22 police officials were murdered in the third quarter, 12 off duty and 10 on duty, and that 12 arrests were effected.

As part of successes in apprehending those who had attacked police officers, Lebeya explained that three accused persons were convicted and sentenced to share terms of four life sentences and a further 38 years imprisonment.

He warned criminals attacking police officers that the law would not have mercy on them.

“An attack on a police official is an attack on the State, and the death of one police official, who is the protector of all the people in South Africa, is unacceptable,” he said.

Cele expressed disappointment with the number of police killings in the country, saying the DPCI and the South African Police Service (Saps) must work together on prevention.

He said that criminals had declared war against the police.

“It is important that we understand that situation and we put an extra effort to protect one another to protect the communities,” he said.

Cele pleaded with the DPCI and the Saps to “go harder on those people killing police officers”, and said he hoped the courts, judges and magistrates took police killings seriously.