National head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) lieutenant-general Godfrey Lebeya noted, with concern, on Monday that 31 – 11 on-duty and 20 off-duty – police officials were killed in 30 incidents in the 1st quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.

Lebeya was outlining milestones achieved during the quarter, and said attacks on police officials were attacks on the State, and the death of one police official was one too many.

During the same period, 24 arrests were made, he said.

A total number of nine convictions were secured in the murders of police officials, eight of which share nine life-terms and a combined period of more than 100 years imprisonment.

The nine lifers are: Ntuthuko Dalingcebo Mabaso (29), Nkosikhona Simphiwe Luthuli (29), Kusakwendoda Simplex Luthuli (43), Thabang Motaung (42), Hlabirwa Rassie Nkune (37), Arkim Phathisani Masuku (32), Sithembiso Andile Mbona (27), Saziso Trevor Khambule (26).

The ninth criminal Nhlakanipho Ndovela (25) received 30 years imprisonment.

Last week, Police Minister Bheki Cele urged officers to be the “first to act” and use “force proportional to the threat” as police killings continue to rise.

“Be the first to act when you have to use force proportional to the threat. Be vigilant and operationally ready to act in any circumstances. If force is required, it must at all times be necessary, reasonable and proportional,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lebeya highlighted that the DPCI seized various exhibits including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth more than R6-million.

He said members are hard at work in dealing with national priority offences, which led to the arrest of at least 611 suspects that were successfully secured before the various courts across the country.

He added that 229 accused persons were convicted and sentenced and 16 of those convicts were sentenced for money laundering.

“Most of the arrests relate to fraud, which accounts for 203 suspects, while money laundering amassed 48 suspects. 72 suspects were equally arrested for narcotics and endangered species. The remaining 288 suspects were arrested for the other 17 types of national priority crimes,” said Lebeya.

He said the DPCI continues to jointly respond to those who committed crimes relating to the Covid-19 Relief Fund, as coordinated at the Fusion Centre, which is housed at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

Lebeya noted that as at the end of June 2023, 190 suspects were secured before the various courts, of these, he said 64 accused persons were convicted in 49 cases.

COOPERATION AND COLLABORATION

Lebeya explained that the signing of a new memorandum of understanding between the DPCI and South African Revenue Service boosts the ability of the country’s law enforcement agencies to enhance the fight against corruption, contraventions of tax laws, money laundering and other financial crimes.  

He explained that this important accord had bolstered cooperation and collaboration that promoted joint initiatives and effective operational arrangements.

He said among the successes achieved in this quarter, were 19 arrests and 5 convictions for tax administration offences.

“Over and above, five arrests and a conviction were secured for contravention of the Customs and Exercise Act. One case is being cited as an example of these successes,” he added.