Hawks commander arrested for theft

MBOMBELA- A senior member of the Hawks in Mpumalanga has been arrested for theft and defeating the ends of justice.

Captain Richard Nkwanyana (48), a Serious Anti-Corruption Commander in the province briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on the said charges.
He was released on R5000 bail.
He has also been barred from entering any Hawks offices in the country. Nkwanyama is expected to be back in court on October 17.

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According to Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, national spokesperson for the Hawks, Nkwanyana (48) handed himself over to the Hawks’ Middelburg Organised Unit on Monday following a protracted investigation into an alleged theft of about R439 900.

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It is alleged in May last year, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) from Cape Town who were deployed in Mpumalanga, seized two cash amounts of R232 400 and R164 500 from two different suspects whilst conducting operations on the same day.

It is alleged in May last year, the National Intervention Unit (NIU) from Cape Town who were deployed in Mpumalanga, seized two cash amounts of R232 400 and R164 500 from two different suspects whilst conducting operations on the same day.

Both cases were transferred to the Hawks for further investigation.

“There was no evidence which linked both suspects to the suspected cash seizures. The two alleged suspects sought the intervention of private lawyers to retrieve their cash and this was granted by the Nelspruit Magistrate Court.

It however, transpired that the money had allegedly vanished and Capt Nkwanyana who took responsibility to safeguard the cash, gave different statements,” says Mulaudzi.

He said that an order was granted against Nkwanyana in July this year to reimburse one of the two suspects, to no avail.

Mulaudzi says an investigation was then initiated by the Hawks in the province and disappointingly it was further discovered that another R43 000 from a different case was allegedly missing from a R118 000 cash seized from a suspect that was supposed to be forfeited to the state

Mulaudzi said the acting national head of the directorate for priority crime investigation (HAWKS) Lt Gen Yolisa Matakata has learnt with disappointment the arrest of the units’ Serious Anti-Corruption commander in the province.

She has warned that unethical actions of a few members will not be allowed to undermine the hard work of the honest and dedicated men and women of the Hawks.

“The presence of corruption is like a cancer eating out the very heart of the DPCI. Individuals who continue to undermine the efforts of others must be identified, punished and separated from the good men and women of the Hawks. The fight against corruption must be total and unrelenting, hence I have ordered that the member be suspended immediately,” said Matakata

She further pointed out that under her watch, it will not be business as usual and she will not hesitate to suspend anyone to have been found to be involved in any form of corruption.