Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya announced on Friday that 2 241 statements have been obtained in 53 cases addressing State capture recommendations, as he pledged to ensure that the Hawks prioritise these investigations.

Outlining progress and milestones achieved during the third quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, in Pretoria, he said the State Capture National Investigation Task Team was focussing on conducting comprehensive investigations, explaining that the team was prioritising investigations and converting inquiries into case dockets.

Lebeya pointed out that the DPCI had made significant inroads in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, to ensure accountability and justice for victims.

He noted that 38 accused persons – 30 natural and eight juristic persons – had been arrested by the Hawks.

“…this includes the six suspects at Bosasa that were already arrested by the DPCI before the cases were taken over by the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) which has charged no less than 268 persons,” he said.

He added that four accused had already been convicted and sentenced on State capture matters handled by the Hawks.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that during the third quarter a total of 1 452 suspects – 1 409 natural persons and 43 juristic – were secured before the various courts in the country.

He said of these arrests, 451 people, representing 32%, were South Africans while 958 people, representing 68%, were foreign nationals.

He also pointed to the second quarter, highlighting that out of the 800 natural persons that were secured before court, 331 people, or 41%, were South Africans while 469, or 59%, were foreign nationals.

“Of the 1 452 suspects, the serious organised crime investigation secured 1 172, the serious commercial crime investigation secured 234 while the serious corruption investigation secured 46 suspects,” he explained.

TAX-RELATED MATTERS

The DPCI announced that it was investigating 738 South African Revenue Service- (Sars-) related cases.

Lebeya said of these cases, 229 were pending at court, 266 were under investigation while 243 were sent to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.

He highlighted that among the successes achieved in this quarter, were that 78 of those included securing attendance in court and while 16 convictions for tax-related offences were obtained.

“The sentences of the accused, who are a combination of natural persons and juristic persons, included orders of payment of a total amount of R14 947 391.11 to Sars,” he said.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

Lebeya announced that a case involving former South African Airways director Yakwe Kwinana had been postponed to March 12, for the defence to make a representation.

Kwinana appeared at Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where she was granted R20 000 bail.

On 26 November 2024, Kwinana handed herself over to the Serious Corruption Investigation team in Germiston.

“Yakwe Kwinana (60) was a member of the board that deliberated and recommended appointments of the two firms, and she voted in favour of the resolution of the board. While being aware that PwC and Nkonki had tendered for these services, she failed to disclose past contractual relationships with the said companies, which caused prejudice to the proper administration of the affairs of SAA,” explained Lebeya.

He said this contravened the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.

The public entity made payments amounting to about R59-million because of the conclusion of a contract, which would not have occurred if all the material facts relating to the relationship between the accused and the two companies were known to the board of directors of SAA.