Gauteng Remains Epicenter of Serious Crime in South Africa

Image Source: Hawks boss Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya. File photo Image: FREDDY MAVUNDA/BUSINESS DAY

Published by Everything ZA News

Johannesburg, South Africa – The Gauteng province has once again solidified its position as the hotbed of serious crime in South Africa. According to a recent media briefing by the Hawks, the province remains a fertile ground for criminal activities.

Hawks head, Godfrey Lebeya, revealed the statistics during a press conference on Sunday, highlighting the division’s progress in the first quarter of the financial year 2024/2025. Despite the challenges, Lebeya emphasized the Hawks’ unwavering commitment to combating crime.

“Most of these arrests were effected in the Gauteng province, with 167 suspects arrested followed by KwaZulu-Natal province with 114, the North-West province with 92, Mpumalanga province with 57 and the Eastern Cape province with 56 suspects,” Lebeya stated.

In addition to the arrests, the Hawks have made significant strides in recovering ill-gotten gains and disrupting the financial networks of criminal organizations. A total of 77 court orders, including Preservation, Forfeiture, Restraint, and Confiscation Orders, were granted during the first quarter.

The recovered funds were subsequently deposited into the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA). “With a monetary value of R134 609 808 were granted and an amount of R16 152 423 was paid into the CARA in the first quarter under review,” Lebeya announced.

As the Hawks continue their relentless pursuit of justice, the battle against serious crime in Gauteng and South Africa as a whole remains a top priority.