A man who posed as a Hawks officer and attempted to extort R200 000 from one of the people who was mentioned in the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture was arrested in Sandton.
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested on 12 February and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on 14 February.
The arrest was made after members of the Gauteng Hawks serious corruption investigation unit were alerted of the blackmail.
The suspect had allegedly told the complainant that he was a Hawks member and promised to make investigations against him by the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority disappear.
To do this, he apparently demanded R200 000. The complainant met with the suspect and allegedly handed him R8 000 with the promise of settling the balance later that afternoon. The second meeting took place as agreed upon and the suspect was apprehended by Hawks officers.
The suspect, who was clad in Hawks regalia, was found in possession of fake police, Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority documents as well as a false Hawks appointment certificate.
The national head of the Hawks Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the arrest.
“I welcome the work of the team that was involved,” he said.
“The arrest has removed the threat posed by the suspect on the community. We encourage members of the public to continue to provide information on criminals. The days of faking Hawks are over.”
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Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/188029/gauteng-hawks-launch-manhunt-for-alleged-police-murderer/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/106799/hawks-arrest-eskom-employees-in-sting/
