DPCI Cracks Down on High-Profile Crime: 656 Suspects Arrested in Q4 of 2024/25

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, has recorded substantial breakthroughs in high-profile criminal cases in South Africa, reaffirming its commitment to combating serious crimes and maintaining justice. During a media briefing held on Thursday, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, head of the DPCI, provided a detailed account of the directorate’s activities and accomplishments for the fourth quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.

Impressive Arrest Statistics Across Provinces

In the final quarter alone, a total of 656 suspects were brought before South African courts. Of these individuals, 450 were South African nationals (representing 74%) while 157 were foreign nationals (26%). These figures indicate a firm resolve to hold all wrongdoers accountable, regardless of nationality.

Breaking down the nature of the investigations:

• Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) led to the arrests of 364 suspects.

• Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) secured 220 arrests.

• Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) was responsible for 72 arrests.

The highest number of arrests were recorded in Gauteng (139), followed by North West (99), KwaZulu-Natal (88), and Eastern Cape and Free State with 73 suspects each.

Seizures and Dismantling of Criminal Enterprises

Law enforcement also made substantial seizures during this period. A total of 395 illegal firearms and 1,746 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Significantly, the DPCI also dismantled seven clandestine drug laboratories, confiscating narcotics valued at more than R23.3 million on the street market.

These operations severely disrupted organized drug syndicates and other criminal networks, underlining the effectiveness of the Directorate's strategic approach.

Convictions and Sentences Reflect Progress

The court outcomes for the quarter were equally noteworthy. A total of 239 individuals were convicted for various crimes investigated by the DPCI. Including previous quarters, 266 accused persons (comprising 253 natural persons and 13 juristic entities) were sentenced.

Among the 253 individuals sentenced:

• 139 (55%) were South Africans

• 114 (45%) were foreign nationals

As with arrests, Gauteng province led in convictions and sentencing, suggesting an intensive focus on urban crime hubs. The nature of convictions also mirrored the arrest statistics:

• 157 convictions came from Serious Organised Crime Investigation.

• 73 from Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.

• 9 from Serious Corruption Investigation.

Major Financial Blow to Criminal Networks

In line with its mission to ensure that crime does not pay, the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) division of the DPCI secured 102 freezing and forfeiture orders during the quarter, valued at an astonishing R418,938,340.14.

This included:

• 56 preservation orders worth R370,952,439.49.

• 45 forfeiture orders totaling R14,985,900.65.

• 1 restraint order amounting to R33,000,000.

Moreover, R19,104,419.50 has already been deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA)—a fund dedicated to supporting crime-fighting initiatives.

Digital Forensics and the War on Tech-Enabled Crime

A modern and increasingly critical component of the DPCI’s work is digital forensics. The Digital Forensic Investigation Section finalized data extraction and analysis from 324 electronic devices within a 90-day period. This expedited processing has significantly improved the efficiency of investigations involving cyber-enabled crime, financial fraud, and organized syndicate communications.

Focus on National Security and Law Enforcement Protection

General Lebeya also highlighted the murder of police officers as a key national concern. During the quarter, 22 police officials were killed, with 16 off duty and six on duty at the time of their murders. Half of these killings occurred in Gauteng, underscoring the province's high crime pressure.

He emphasized that attacks on police are tantamount to an attack on society and the state itself, and reiterated the Directorate's commitment to treating such crimes as national priority offences.

Tackling Cash-In-Transit Robberies

Cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies continue to be a major challenge in South Africa. In the fourth quarter, the DPCI registered 50 CIT-related incidents. A total of 28 suspects were arrested—excluding 10 who were fatally wounded in gun battles with police. Importantly, none of those arrested were granted bail.

Additionally, another 36 suspects were apprehended in CIT-related crimes, bringing the total number of CIT-related arrests to 64 for the quarter.

The latest quarterly figures from the DPCI reflect a strategic and aggressive campaign against serious crimes, high-profile corruption, and organized criminal syndicates. Under the leadership of Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, the directorate is demonstrating its unwavering dedication to rooting out criminality in South Africa.

As General Lebeya noted, the DPCI will continue to operate "without fear, favour, or prejudice", reinforcing its role as a pillar of national justice and public trust.