KEY POINTS
- South Africa faces rising police killings and organized crime threats.
- State capture investigations have led to multiple arrests and convictions.
- Fraudulent COVID-19 relief claims resulted in financial losses.
South Africa is facing a surge in violent attacks against police officers, with 13 law enforcement officials murdered in the last quarter of 2024, according to Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI-Hawks).
Of the 13 officers killed, eight were off duty, raising concerns that criminals are targeting police even in their personal lives. In response, the Hawks have arrested 30 suspects, with seven already convicted and sentenced to a total of 22 life terms.
Lebeya emphasized that attacks on police officers are a direct attack on society and must be treated as a national priority offense. Alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS) members, four metropolitan police officers were also killed in recent months.
In a parallel development, the Hawks reported that cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies remain a significant concern, with 42 CIT attacks recorded in late 2024. During these incidents, nine suspects were killed in gunfights with police, while 119 individuals were arrested.
Corruption and state capture investigations escalate
The Hawks are also making progress in tackling South Africa’s deep-rooted corruption, particularly cases linked to state capture. The State Capture National Investigation Task Team has obtained 2,241 witness statements across 53 cases, focusing on recommendations from the State Capture Commission.
The arrests have reached 38 individuals while six defendants maintain connections to the Bosasa scandal.Â
So far, 268 individuals have faced charges under the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) while four people have received convictions as part of this investigation
Among the high-profile cases, Yakwe Kwinana stands out as a former board member at South African Airways (SAA). She is accused of fraudulently awarding an R59 million ($3.16 million) contract to two auditing firms without disclosing her prior business relationships with them.
According to IOL, Kwinana surrendered herself to authorities on November 26, 2024, and was granted R20,000 ($1,072) bail. Her case has been postponed to March 12, 2025, as her defense prepares its arguments.
COVID-19 relief fund fraud exposed
South Africa’s corruption crisis extends beyond state capture to include fraudulent COVID-19 relief claims. A growing number of financial misconduct involving government support programs have been exposed by investigators.
One such case involves Marinda Johanna Smith, 57, who falsely applied for Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) funds on behalf of 28 non-existent employees at her company, MJ Upholstery Free State (Pty) Ltd.
She successfully obtained R537,000 ($28,798) in fraudulent funds before authorities discovered the scam.
Smith was arrested on December 13, 2024, on fraud and money laundering charges. Her case is set to continue on March 10, 2025, at the Bloemfontein Regional Court.
Lebeya emphasized that the government remains dedicated to COVID-19 fund fraud investigations while confirming 64 ongoing cases and 27 secured convictions.
