LIMPOPO – LIMPOPO is among the provinces to receive newly branded vehicles in the fight against crime by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) to intensify its fight against serious crimes.
For now, the province will be provided only two vehicles and other will come at a later stage.
Hawks spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said the purpose of branding these vehicles was to ensure that they were clearly visible to the public.
“The newly branded vehicles are part of the Hawks’ plan to significantly boost vehicle capacity by an additional 80 vehicles during the current financial year and will contribute to the current figure of 1 478 vehicles that has been allocated nationally. The milestone handover forms part of a process underway to re-focus the directorate and to effectively deliver on its mandate.”
The high powered vehicles will be used in tackling serious crimes such as ATM bombings, drugs, police killings, taxi violence and cash in transit robberies.
“Branding will ensure visibility and recognition will go a long way in differentiating the members of the Hawks from criminals who masquerade as its members to defraud unsuspecting victims of huge amounts of money and other valuables,” Mulaudzi explained.
Mulaudzi confirmed the prevalence of criminal acts like rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park, ATM bombings, drug peddling, cash in transit robberies and taxi violence, considering the recent bloodbath in the taxi industry that has plagued Mokopane where taxi operators were killing each other.
He said the Hawks were making significant progress in combating serious crime.
“As part of the new focus and efforts to strengthen service delivery, the Hawks have also embarked on a recruitment drive of key personnel and positions of 14 senior managers and 50 anti-corruption personnel have been advertised.
A further 200 posts will also be soon advertised.
“In an effort to enhance the image of the Hawks, a public engagement programme will be implemented, where communities will be engaged on issues of crime, especially serious violent ones and corruption.
“This interaction will ensure improving the operations of the directorate and its relationship with the public,” said Mulaudzi.
