RIGHT OF REPLY: HAWKS respond but don’t answer questions

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) affectionately known as the Hawks, has responded but not answered questions we asked.

This follows series of articles regarding the allege meeting Hawks official had with Joyce Mathae, Free State Premier on the 11 October 2024.

A day later, 12 October, questions were sent to LG Godfrey Lebeya with a deadline set for Monday, 14 October 2024.

Lebeya did not respond to the questions and the story was published on Wednesday, 16 October 2024 without response from the Hawks.

Hours after the story was published, Brigadier Thandi Mbambo called asking why questions were sent to Lebeya as if Lebeya does not work for the Hawks, nonetheless she promised to respond as head of communication.

It’s not the first time we sent questions to Hawks official not communications team, we sent questions to Benjamin Calitz who referred us to communications unit and no one died.

After we ran another story on Friday, Mbambo called again and sent their response dated 16 October which we didn’t receive although in the screenshot it shows our email address.

In response, sent on the 16 October, Mbambo said.

“We can confirm that allegations of corruption and money laundering were brought to the attention of the Hawks in Free State and an investigation has been launch to probe further.

It is however important to note that it is not within the policy of the DPCI to confirm individuals or persons of interest which are subject to investigation until they have been formally brought before the court of law, or to divulge the nature of investigations, so as to protect the integrity of the investigation.”

She concluded.

“It must be noted that as part of the investigation, it is permissible for the Hawks to interview those involved with the view to obtain information.”

The questions we asked were not about the case or the merits but if it made sense why would an official from the Hawks met Mathae on the same day the case was opened.

We did not ask who the suspects are and when will arrested be made, that not our focus.

Here are questions we asked Lebeya:

1. It’s alleged your office called Patrick Phuti on Thursday requesting a meeting with him on Friday. Can you confirm or deny this?
2. ⁠If yes, who called him?
3. ⁠It’s alleged on Friday, an officer from Free State met with Joyce Mathae, was the meeting sanctioned and official?
4. ⁠It’s alleged the meeting was organized by (name withheld), if this is true is that lawful and ethical?
5. ⁠If it’s found to be true would action be taken by your office?
6. ⁠it’s also alleged a case involving Mathae’s child was swapped under the table. Can you confirm there has never been any case opened against Mathae’s child?
7. Lastly, can you confirm if the Hawks are investigating Dibolelo Mahlatsi under fraud and corruption case number P COMM FS OCIU 06/07/2024?

Why did Hawks official meet Mathae because the meeting did happen.

This is developing story.

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