THE Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has painted a grim picture of the safety of police officers in the second quarter of 2023/24.
According to the DPCI, 35 police officials were murdered, with 37 arrests being made, of which 10 are for older cases.
This was revealed by the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya during a media briefing in Tshwane on Thursday, 23 November.
Lebeya emphasised that attacks on police officials are attacks on the state, and one police official's death is one too many.
“While 35 police officials were murdered in the seconf quarter, 37 arrests were made of which 10 are for older cases. Furthermore, 10 have been sentenced, five accused persons were sentenced to share 10 life imprisonment and a combined 391 years imprisonment.
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“The five lifers are Sibuso Brendon Mcuwo, two lifers for Mnelisi Khumalo Scara Hlongwane, Kusa Thulani Mziwendoda Fana Biyela, Molefe Rapooie, and Shane Cecil Swartz,” he said.
Lebeya further said his office has been hard at work and this led to the arrest of at least 801 suspects nationally in the quarter, which is made of 791 natural persons and 10 juristic persons who were secured before the various courts across the country.
He said when it comes to illegal mining, 172 suspects were arrested by the DPCI for Precious Metals and Diamonds.
Lebeya said that a total of 40 suspects were arrested on kidnapping-related charges and 11 victims were rescued by a multidisciplinary kidnapping task team.
On Sars-related cases, Lebeya said in executing its mandate it collaborated with other Law Enforcement Agencies, amongst others, Sars.
Lebeya said that the sentences of the accused, who are a combination of individual people and organisation, included orders of payment of a total amount of R11 654 445-33 to Sars.
“Currently, the DPCI is investigating 716 cases on Sars-related matters, of these cases, 223 are pending at court, 263 are under investigation while 230 are pending decision by the National Prosecuting Authority,” he said.
