Hawks suspend officers arrested for corruption

The national Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI, also known as the Hawks), Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, has called for the immediate suspension of the two Hawks members who were arrested for alleged corruption and fraud.

Captain Kaizer Mohale (50) and Colonel Emily Hlophe (44), both attached to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, were each granted R5 000 bail by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court recently.

Their alleged accomplice, former police constable Steve Mangena (35), appeared in court along with the duo.

“The three allegedly misrepresented a businessman who needed the services of a private investigator and they allegedly hatched a scam to defraud him. The victim had already paid a substantial amount of money for the services of the three suspects,” said Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Lieutenant-General Lebeya said the arrests affirmed the organisation's efforts to root out criminal conduct by Hawks members.

“We cannot sit idle and watch while a few corrupt individuals ruin the reputation of the DPCI,” he added, noting it was the Hawks' responsibility to build an organisation that people will always trust and know that they are safe from crime.

“An organisation where all within the ranks of the DPCI are equal before the law, regardless of who you are. Corruption eats away at our people's opportunities and we will continue to tackle it head on without fear or favour,” said Lieutenant-General Lebeya.

The case was postponed while the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit investigates further.