Cape Town – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has named South Africa’s top seven police investigators.
They are Lieutenant LT Monene, Constable AE Mathevula, Warrant Officer ND Ligege, (all from Limpopo), Constable C Mokone, Warrant Officer OE Monnamme (both from the North West), Constable NR Bokolo (Eastern Cape), and Constable RR Visagie of the Northern Cape.
They were introduced in Parliament on Thursday by the minister as the Top 7 Best Investigators for the 2012/13 Financial Year. Together, these officers were involved in investigations that led to 33 people being incarcerated for life.
Lieutenant Monene was responsible for securing 11 life sentences, Constable Mathevula and Warrant Officer Ligege for five, Constable Mokone and Constable Bokolo for four, Warrant Officer Monnamme and Constable Visagie for two.
In total, SAPS crime investigations led to 499 people being put behind bars for life in 2012/13. Since 2010, a total of 1 194 life sentences were secured.
Mthethwa also gave a statistical picture of crime in South Africa, as well as the success rate of the Hawks.
According to him, in the past two years drug-related offences saw the Hawks arresting 669 people, compared to 335 in 2011/12 and 334 in 2012/13. About 298 804.6kg of drugs were confiscated, with a monetary value of R95 million.
A total of 198 people, of whom 71 were convicted, were arrested in the 2012/13 financial year for being in possession of uncut diamonds and unwrought precious metals.
The Hawks also arrested 104 people in connected with the poaching of abalone and rhino.
Out of the 523 arrested by the Hawks for involvement in organised violent crimes, a total of 297 people were convicted.
Crime intelligence has been stabilised. More than 37 000 operations, which led to the arrest of 10 607 people and the recovery of goods valued at R633 million, were executed.
By the end of this financial year, 710 forensic analysts and crime scene analysts were due to be employed to bolster forensic services.
Presently, SAPS has 919 Victim Friendly Facilities, where support services are offered. It is envisaged that these rooms will be established in all police stations during 2013/14.
Last year was the Year of the Detective. A total of 338 Detective Service Centres were established. Detectives got 264 convictions for murder, 499 for rape, and 63 for aggravated robbery. – SAnews.gov.za
