The investigation into the complaint laid by businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale about the White Spiritual Boy Trust has been concluded and the allegations made were unsubstantiated, says Hawks boss Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya.
In 2021 Sexwale said billions had been “stolen” from the Reserve Bank and that he had documents to substantiate the allegations. Thereafter, the Hawks investigated.
“After various engagements ... we have approached the entities that needed to be approached to get an understanding of what precisely might have gone wrong,” Lebeya said on Thursday.
He added that if evidence materialised later, the Hawks could still pursue the matter.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), as the Hawks is formally known, continued to jointly respond to those who committed crimes relating to the Covid-19 relief fund, Lebeya said.
By the end of May, 194 suspects had been arrested, with 49 of 52 accused found guilty. This represented a 94% conviction rate.
Lebeya was outlining milestones achieved by the Hawks in the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year.
He said during the period 701 suspects appeared in various courts across the country, with 284 convicted and sentenced.
Thirty-eight suspects were arrested for cash in transit (CIT) heists, with four convicted and sentenced.
“Over and above, 30 suspects were arrested for CIT-related offences. Thirteen were arrested for the murders of police officials, while six were convicted and sentenced,” he said.
Lebeya highlighted 32 cases. In his sample, 19 convictions (representing 116 people) were secured, while 13 arrests (representing 39 suspects) were made.
“These 39 suspects are now added to their co-accused on the court roll, which makes 75 accused persons in these 13 cases. That makes an average of six accused per case,” he said.
Lebeya also highlighted cases in which suspects were sentenced for killing Hawks officers and arrested for stealing from Eskom.
He said his department would continue to execute its work without fear, favour or prejudice, as the law dictates.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
No substance to Tokyo Sexwale's complaint about theft of billions from SARB: Hawks head
Image: Fikile Marakalla/GCIS
The investigation into the complaint laid by businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale about the White Spiritual Boy Trust has been concluded and the allegations made were unsubstantiated, says Hawks boss Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya.
In 2021 Sexwale said billions had been “stolen” from the Reserve Bank and that he had documents to substantiate the allegations. Thereafter, the Hawks investigated.
“After various engagements ... we have approached the entities that needed to be approached to get an understanding of what precisely might have gone wrong,” Lebeya said on Thursday.
He added that if evidence materialised later, the Hawks could still pursue the matter.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), as the Hawks is formally known, continued to jointly respond to those who committed crimes relating to the Covid-19 relief fund, Lebeya said.
By the end of May, 194 suspects had been arrested, with 49 of 52 accused found guilty. This represented a 94% conviction rate.
Lebeya was outlining milestones achieved by the Hawks in the fourth quarter of the 2022/23 financial year.
He said during the period 701 suspects appeared in various courts across the country, with 284 convicted and sentenced.
Thirty-eight suspects were arrested for cash in transit (CIT) heists, with four convicted and sentenced.
“Over and above, 30 suspects were arrested for CIT-related offences. Thirteen were arrested for the murders of police officials, while six were convicted and sentenced,” he said.
Lebeya highlighted 32 cases. In his sample, 19 convictions (representing 116 people) were secured, while 13 arrests (representing 39 suspects) were made.
“These 39 suspects are now added to their co-accused on the court roll, which makes 75 accused persons in these 13 cases. That makes an average of six accused per case,” he said.
Lebeya also highlighted cases in which suspects were sentenced for killing Hawks officers and arrested for stealing from Eskom.
He said his department would continue to execute its work without fear, favour or prejudice, as the law dictates.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE:
NPA assessing Phala Phala docket and may decide on next step
WATCH | Hawks boss briefs media on fourth-quarter milestones
Three men hired by wife to kill her cop husband get jail for life
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos