Pretoria – The Hawks have arrested one of their own – a 54-year-old senior officer accused of corruption.
The officer was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, on Wednesday morning, (15 January 2025) and was expected to appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court later today.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the senior officer was accused of attempting to influence a police investigating officer involved in a case against a Councillor in Limpopo.
“The officer, who is stationed at the Hawks’ Head Office, is accused of attempting to influence a police investigating officer involved in a case against a councillor in one of the regions in Limpopo,” said Colonel Mogale.
The incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday, (14 January 2022), when the accused is said to have approached the complainant, a fellow police officer, and requested assistance in “helping” a councillor who was facing a criminal investigation to get out of the predicament.
Allegations are that the complainant, who was the investigating officer on the case, was promised tenders and future favours in exchange for his assistance.
The officer further allegedly offered to use his connections at the police’s Head Office to secure a promotion for the complainant in exchange for his cooperation.
The matter was reported to authorities and investigated leading to the senior officer’s arrest.
“The Hawks remain committed to upholding the law and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability,” said Colonel Mogale.
“No one, regardless of their position or rank within the Directorate, will be allowed to undermine our core values or the trust the public places in us.
Lieutenant General (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya, the National Head of the Hawks said the arrest of a senior officer highlights the DPCI’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said: “Corruption, in any form, will not be tolerated within our ranks, no matter the seniority or position of the individual involved.
“The Hawks will continue to fight crime with the utmost integrity and professionalism, ensuring that those who breach our ethical standards are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
