Hawks conviction rate 'satisfying’ - Lebeya

Lebeya on Thursday briefed the media on the work done by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) during the second quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year.

"Our members are hard at work in dealing with national priority offences,” Lebeya said.

"This led to the arrest of at least 801 suspects nationally in the quarter, which is made of 791 natural persons and 10 juristic persons who were secured before the various courts across the country.

"Two-hundred-and-forty-four accused persons, which is made of 234 natural persons and 10 juristic persons, were convicted and sentenced.

"A breakdown of the arrests per crime category and nationality of the 791 natural persons, comprises of 570 which is 72% South Africans and 221 which is 28% foreign nationals."

Lebeya adds that the DPCI had seized various exhibits, such as counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth over R92 million.

"The top five national priority offences that contributed a high number of arrests are 173 for fraud, 172 for precious metals and diamonds, 52 for narcotics, 48 for cash-in-transit robberies, and 37 for corruption.

"During these arrests, the DPCI also seized various exhibits, including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R92 407 269.”

He further stated that they have made notable progress in ensuring that criminals are brought to book.

"In terms of nationalities relating to conviction and sentences, 193 are South Africans while 84 are foreign nationals,” Lebeya said.

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