Latest news with #GodfreyLebeya
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Legal pressure mounts on NPA and Hawks over Prasa corruption claims
Civil society organisation Open Secrets wants the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to force the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority to fast-track their investigation and prosecution of individuals and companies responsible for looting the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. Image: SAPS A High Court application has been launched to force the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks to investigate and prosecute individuals and companies implicated in widespread Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) corruption. Open Secrets, a civil society organisation and non-profit company, has hauled outgoing national Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya and National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to force the law enforcement agencies to act against Siyangena Technologies and Swifambo Rails Leasing, which received lucrative contracts from the country's troubled rail agency. The troubles facing Batohi, who is due to retire early next year, appear to be piling up after she endured a tough few weeks at the helm of the NPA. In its application, Open Secrets states that the two companies were awarded contracts worth billions of rand meant to modernise South Africa's rail system. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Instead, they became conduits for fraud, stripping Prasa bare and abandoning millions of poor commuters to a crumbling transport lifeline,' reads the affidavit filed by Open Secrets director Hennie van Vuuren last month. The organisation has asked the court to declare invalid and review and set aside the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation's [DPCI (the Hawks)] failure, within a reasonable time, to complete the investigations into the complaints of corruption and fraud at the Prasa. This is in relation to Prasa's decision to award and conclude the contract with Siyangena and Swifambo, as well as their implementation. In addition, Open Secrets wants the NPA's conduct in failing, within a reasonable time, to see to the completion of those investigations also declared invalid, reviewed, and set aside as well as its inability to take a decision, either to prosecute or not to prosecute, persons implicated or involved in criminal activities, related to the award, conclusion, and implementation of Prasa's contracts with Siyangena and Swifambo. Open Secrets wants the Hawks to be directed to complete their investigations, without further delay, and to take such further steps or file further reports as the court deems just and equitable. It also wants the NPA to be directed to see to the completion of the investigations without further delay, to take a decision, either to prosecute or not to prosecute, persons implicated or involved in criminal activities, relating to Prasa's contracts with Siyangena and Swifambo, and do so without further delay. According to Open Secrets, the NPA should be directed to take such further steps or file such further reports as the court deems just and equitable. 'Due to the delay in the finalisation of the investigations into the alleged corrupt conduct of those who were involved in the award of these contracts, the NPA has consequently not decided whether to prosecute anyone linked to the unlawful Siyangena and Swifambo contracts,' Van Vuuren stated in his affidavit. He added that as a result, an excess of nine years has passed since the criminal complaints were laid in 2015/16, yet no one has been held accountable, contrary to the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, chaired by retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Hawks national spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo on Saturday confirmed that the DPCI received the notice of motion and that the matter is currently receiving the necessary attention. 'It is important to note that this is a complex matter requiring thorough investigation and ongoing collaboration among relevant stakeholders. We request time and space to allow investigation to proceed without compromise, to ensure that justice is served,' she said. Open Secrets' Ariella Scher said the Hawks and the NPA have filed their notices to oppose the matter, but not Prasa. NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga did not respond to requests for comment.
IOL News
31-05-2025
- IOL News
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya reflects on his legacy in the SAPS
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya on Saturday delivered his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya spoke fondly of his trials and tribulations, including being the best student of the course in June 1985 during his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS on 1 June 2025. The SAPS- Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI-Hawks) held a legacy report briefing for the outgoing National Head in Pretoria on Saturday. Lebeya reflected on his tenure at the helm of the DPCI from 2018 to 2025 and offered insights into the milestones, challenges, and achievements during his leadership. In his parting shot, Lebeya recommended that part of the improvement plan for the SAPS should include: Work on capacitation of the DPCI to achieve 100% human resource capacity. Lebeya requested authority's to provide financial resources to achieve this. Work on the implementation of the remaining provisions of the SAPS Act. Work on the acquisition of the office accommodation for the personnel. Continue to work on acquisition of modern tools of trade. Continue to build the DPCI to be a criminal Investigative elite unit of South Africa. Lebeya began working in the SAPS at the Sophiatown Police Station on 12 May 1984 and said he aspired to be a mechanical engineer, but his application to the SAPS Benoni Mechanical School was unsuccessful. Over the years he worked at Hillbrow SAPS in Crime Prevention and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the house-breaking and theft unit. He was later transferred to investigate more serious cases such as murders, robberies, bribery, forgery, uttering and fraud. Lebeya went on to establish the Johannesburg North Fraud Section which was based at Sandton police station. In January 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Specialised Investigations in Gauteng Province and by November 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Detective Service in Gauteng on the rank of Assistant Commissioner, the current Major General rank. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In his academic pursuit, Lebeya completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and by 2006 was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Lebeya also pursued a Doctorate degree which was conferred in the field of Law, Doctor of Laws (LLD) in 2012 on the topic of 'Understanding Organised Crime'. One of his crowning moments came in June 2018, when he was appointed as the National Head of the DPCI. 'Part of the style of investigation is to conduct major investigations. In Project-Driven Investigations, we initiated 113 complex projects and successfully concluded 67 which is 75% while others are still pending and others unsuccessful. A total number of 566 arrests were effected,' he said . Lebeya said he worked on enhancing technological systems and believed that the Digital Forensic Unit is growing with public private partnerships. 'We have established the Forensic Accounting Investigation which has also partnered with business to ensure transferal of skills. Our coordination of work has been enhanced with the operationalisation of the National Priority Crime Investigations and its sub-committees,' Lebeya said.
The Herald
13-05-2025
- The Herald
Man accused of impersonating Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya in court
A man who allegedly impersonated Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya appeared before the Hatfield magistrate's court on Monday on a charge of impersonating a police officer. Thabo Theletsane, 42, was arrested on Saturday by the Hawks' national serious corruption investigation unit in Petrus Steyn in the Free State. He is also charged with fraud. In October last year, the accused allegedly contacted a prominent South African businessman residing in Gauteng via WhatsApp falsely claiming to be Lebeya. Using a profile picture and personal details resembling those of Lebeya, the accused allegedly deceived the victim. It is alleged the accused claimed the victim's mobile phone had been hacked and, on the pretext of assisting him with a security breach, requested the victim's personal information. Believing he was communicating with the real national head of the Hawks, the victim provided personal details and contact information of close associates. 'The accused later solicited money, claiming to have successfully 'debugged' the victim's mobile devices. An of more than R100,000 was subsequently paid by the victims,' Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo said. The case was postponed until Thursday for a bail application and the accused was remanded. 'The community is warned against making payments to police officers as they are not authorised to solicit money for services rendered,' Mbambo said. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
12-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Man accused of impersonating Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya in court
A man who allegedly impersonated Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya appeared before the Hatfield magistrate's court on Monday on a charge of impersonating a police officer. Thabo Theletsane, 42, was arrested on Saturday by the Hawks' national serious corruption investigation unit in Petrus Steyn in the Free State. He is also charged with fraud. In October last year, the accused allegedly contacted a prominent South African businessman residing in Gauteng via WhatsApp falsely claiming to be Lebeya. Using a profile picture and personal details resembling those of Lebeya, the accused allegedly deceived the victim. It is alleged the accused claimed the victim's mobile phone had been hacked and, on the pretext of assisting him with a security breach, requested the victim's personal information. Believing he was communicating with the real national head of the Hawks, the victim provided personal details and contact information of close associates. 'The accused later solicited money, claiming to have successfully 'debugged' the victim's mobile devices. An of more than R100,000 was subsequently paid by the victims,' Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo said. The case was postponed until Thursday for a bail application and the accused was remanded. 'The community is warned against making payments to police officers as they are not authorised to solicit money for services rendered,' Mbambo said.
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- The Citizen
Nowhere to hide for high-profile criminals
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has made significant inroads in apprehending individuals involved in high-profile cases, ensuring accountability and justice for victims. This is according to DPCI head Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, who briefed media on Thursday on the successes and progress made with regard to high-profile cases in the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year. He said the DPCI remains committed to its mandate of investigating, preventing and combating national priority offences without fear, favour or prejudice. A total of 656 suspects appeared before the various courts in the country during the fourth quarter. Of these arrests, 450 (74%) are South African, whereas 157 (26%) are foreign nationals. 'Of the 656 suspects, the Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) secured 364, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) secured 220, while the Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) secured 72 suspects before court,' Lebeya said. He said most of the arrests were effected in Gauteng with 139, North West with 99, KZN with 88, and the Eastern Cape and Free State with 73 suspects each. 'During these arrests, 395 firearms and 1 746 rounds of ammunition were seized. Seven clandestine drug laboratories were dismantled with drugs worth a total street value of R23 361 125. 'During this same period, the directorate secured convictions for 239 accused persons. A total of 266 (253 natural and 13 juristic) accused persons, including those convicted in the previous quarters, were sentenced during the quarter under review. 'Of the 253 sentenced natural persons, 139 (55%) are South Africans, while 114 (45%) are foreign nationals. Most of these convictions and sentences were secured in Gauteng,' Lebeya said. He says of these convictions, SOCI secured 157, SCCI secured 73 and SCI secured nine. 'To ensure that crime does not pay, the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) has contributed towards the issuing of a combined 102 freezing and forfeiture orders amounting to R418 938 340.14. 'Of these orders, 56 were preservation orders with a monetary value of R370 952 439.49, with 45 forfeiture orders with a monetary value of R14 985 900.65 and one restraint order with a monetary value of R33 000 000,' he said. Lebeya said an amount of R19 104 419.50 has been deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account. The Digital Forensic Investigation Section of the PCSI component of the DPCI finalised the extraction and analysis of data evidence from 324 electronic devices within 90 days during the quarter. Attacks on police Touching on police murders by criminals, Lebeya said an attack on police officials was an assault on society and an attack on the state. 'We categorised the killing of police officials as that national priority offence that requires the attention of the DPCI,' Lebeya said. During this period, 22 police officials were murdered, of which 16 were off duty while six were on duty. He said 50% of these murders happened in Gauteng. With regards to cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, Lebeya said during the fourth quarter, 50 incidents of CIT robberies were received by the directorate. 'A total number of 28 suspects, excluding 10 who died in exchange of gunfire with the police, were arrested. It is comforting that no one was released on bail. 'Over and above this, 36 suspects were arrested in CIT-related cases, making a combined number of 64 arrests for CIT and related crime,' Lebeya said. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
