In the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, fraud contributed to the highest number of convictions, with a total of 63.
This is according to Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya, who said during this time they secured 229 convictions.
“Out of the 229 convictions, fraud contributed the highest number of convictions with a total of 63. Precious metals and diamonds are the second highest with a total number of 45 accused . Eleven people were accused of money laundering in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,” he said.
On Monday, Lebeya and his management outlined the progress made in the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year and took stock of milestones achieved since the previous quarter.
Lebeya said the Hawks secured the attendance in court of 724 suspects, made of 705 natural people and 19 juristic people (entities).
“A total of 229 accused people, 220 natural people and nine juristic people, were convicted and sentenced,” he said.
The top five national priority offences that contributed to a high number of arrests were 156 for fraud, including 15 companies, and 64 for precious metals and diamonds, 67 for narcotics, 51 for non-ferrous metals and 51 for corruption.
“A breakdown of the arrests per crime category and nationality of the 705 natural people comprises 582 or 82.5% South Africans and 123 or 17.5% foreign nationals,” said Lebeya.
He said during the arrests, the Hawks seized exhibits including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R102,614,521,89.
“Over and above arrests and convictions, the directorate, in collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority, secured 92 orders with a monetary value of R39,642,652.71,” he said.
Lebeya said 22 police officials were murdered in the third quarter, 12 off duty and 10 on duty, and 12 arrests were made. Three accused people were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and 38-year imprisonment terms.
Lebeya said 55 arrests were carried out and five convictions secured for cash-in-transit heists.
TimesLIVE
Hawks update reveals most accused were convicted for fraud
Image: FREDDY MAVUNDA/BUSINESS DAY
In the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, fraud contributed to the highest number of convictions, with a total of 63.
This is according to Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya, who said during this time they secured 229 convictions.
“Out of the 229 convictions, fraud contributed the highest number of convictions with a total of 63. Precious metals and diamonds are the second highest with a total number of 45 accused . Eleven people were accused of money laundering in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,” he said.
On Monday, Lebeya and his management outlined the progress made in the third quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year and took stock of milestones achieved since the previous quarter.
Lebeya said the Hawks secured the attendance in court of 724 suspects, made of 705 natural people and 19 juristic people (entities).
“A total of 229 accused people, 220 natural people and nine juristic people, were convicted and sentenced,” he said.
The top five national priority offences that contributed to a high number of arrests were 156 for fraud, including 15 companies, and 64 for precious metals and diamonds, 67 for narcotics, 51 for non-ferrous metals and 51 for corruption.
“A breakdown of the arrests per crime category and nationality of the 705 natural people comprises 582 or 82.5% South Africans and 123 or 17.5% foreign nationals,” said Lebeya.
He said during the arrests, the Hawks seized exhibits including precious metals and diamonds, endangered species, vehicles, cash, firearms, ammunition, counterfeit goods, explosives and electronic devices worth R102,614,521,89.
“Over and above arrests and convictions, the directorate, in collaboration with the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority, secured 92 orders with a monetary value of R39,642,652.71,” he said.
Lebeya said 22 police officials were murdered in the third quarter, 12 off duty and 10 on duty, and 12 arrests were made. Three accused people were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment and 38-year imprisonment terms.
Lebeya said 55 arrests were carried out and five convictions secured for cash-in-transit heists.
TimesLIVE
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