Hawks

IDAC's mandate overlaps with SAPS and Hawks regarding investigating serious high-profile fraud and corruption, with no difference in their mandate.

“No difference between you and SAPS ? No difference between you and Hawks ? No .”

Advocate Johnson, as a person of interest, improperly approached witnesses, assuring them they have nothing to worry about and implying the Hawks might intervene, which constitutes interference and potential intimidation.

“That is where we are saying the interference came , Commissioner . Why will you , knowing that you are a person of interest , you know the witness , why will you now go and approach the witness ? Are you trying to intimidate the witness ? Are you trying to tell the witness the Hawks is going to come there , tailor your evidence ? We do not know . But it is improper for a person of interest , especially a senior prosecutor within the NPA , knowing the law , to approach a witness in this fashion .”

Advocate Johnson told witnesses that the Hawks might come to speak to them, which is improper conduct.

“And you even tell them that the Hawks might be coming to speak to you .”

Advocate Johnson called Mr Bateman in June 2022 to assure him they were still friends and that the Hawks were going to come to him, but Mr Bateman became sick after that.

“... subsequent getting a call from Advocate Johnson telling him we know , do not worry , we are still friends . The Hawks is going to come to you . What we understood was he became sick .”

Witness O started thinking about the assault incident again and was troubled after Advocate Johnson was appointed Head of IDAC in early 2022, knowing that Hawks were placed at IDAC to investigate matters at Crime Intelligence.

“When Advocate Johnson was appointed the Head of IDAC in early 022, I started thinking about this incident again, and it troubled me all over again. At the time, members of the Hawks were placed at IDAC to investigate matters at Crime Intelligence.”

Witness O approached the Hawks on the condition that his identity would be protected to inform them of the incident and prepared a statement of his recollection in August 2022, but nothing came of the investigation conducted by the DPCI officers.

“I approached them on the condition that my identity would be protected. I informed them of the incident and that I would prepare a statement setting out my recollection of the incident. I did so in August 2022. As far as I am aware, the DPCI officers investigated the matter, but nothing has come of it.”

Mr Ismail Vally communicates with General Khan about obtaining case numbers related to Hawks commercial crimes and coordinates about visits to police stations.

“On the 28th of September 2021, at the foot of 369, Mr Vally greets General Khan. ... "Can you see what a case is about if I get you a case number. Commercial crimes. Hawks." ... "Which police station?" ... "I went in bro. I will tell bro when I see you."”

Mr Vally makes an abusive comment about the Hawks during a conversation with General Khan, who indicates willingness to assist if needed.

“Mr Vally responds with an abusive comment about the Hawks. General Khan says: "Do you need me to do anything?" Mr Vally says: "No Jazakallah blood. I will save you for a day when I really need you."”

Mr Sanjay Adjodia and Mr Ismail Vally are partners in a high-end vehicle workshop and were involved in sending case numbers without explanation to General Khan in chats relating to commercial crimes and the Hawks.

“Mr Sanjay Adjodia, who is saved as Sanjay Che 357 ... sends him a case number on the 12th of March 2021 with no explanation ... an exchange between Mr Vally, ... Mr Ismail Vally ... Mr Vally greets General Khan ... "Can you see what a case is about if I get you a case number. Commercial crimes. Hawks."”

Mr Vally communicates with General Khan about case numbers for commercial crimes involving the Hawks and makes an abusive comment about the Hawks.

“General Khan says: "Yes, bro." And Ismail Vally says: "Hawks called me now." ... Mr Vally responds with an abusive comment about the Hawks.”

It is questioned what General Khan did with the information after receiving it and whether he referred it to relevant authorities like the city, Hawks, or NPA, as no action seems to have been taken while Ms Mashazi remained in her position until retirement last year.

“what did he do with the information ? Did he refer it to the city or to the Hawks or to the NPA ? ... it seems that nothing was done with it while she would not have remained in her position”

Colonel Steyn supplied Radovan Krejčer with the speaker's cellular phone records in 2011, putting the speaker's life at risk.

“I can now prove that Steyn supplied Krejčer with my cellular phone records thereby further putting my life at risk. Back in 2011 ... I have written to the Hawks requesting that Steyn be suspended and stand trial along with Krejčer for their disgusting conduct”

MR NKU was introduced to Chief Mashaba by a person he knew personally, a businessman in the mining space, and their initial relationship was influenced by a misunderstanding due to translation in isiZulu at the introduction stage.

“When I was introduced to Chief Mashaba, the person who introduced me to him ... he is a businessman who is in the mining space ... when I was introduced in isiZulu ... so it might mean a array of things. But remember, my mindset ... that the closest person to the Hawks ... is this person. That is the first person that I would think of. That is how I introduced.”

MR NKU acknowledged Chief Mashaba was never part of or employed by the Hawks law enforcement structure.

“Chief Mashaba was never into the Hawks, or worked for the Hawks. Do you accept that? No, I do accept that, Chair.”

George van der Merwe set up a sting operation with the Hawks according to Mr Van Wyk.

“Mr Van Wyk said to Mr Matlala: 'So it was George that set up the sting with the Hawks.'”

Samuel Mashaba was never a member of the Hawks and thus not entitled to the title 'General' from that organization.

“I s u s p e c t M a s h a b a w a s n e v e r a m e m b e r f r o m D P C I . H e w a s n e v e r a m e m b e r o f t h e H a w k s .”

Mashaba used two phone numbers, one state phone and one personal phone, and was using names linked to 'Hawks' such as 'Doggie Hawks'.

“M a s h a b a w a s u s i n g t w o n u m b e r s . I b e l i e v e o n e w a s a s t a t e p h o n e . Th e o t h e r w a s h i s p e r s o n a l . H e i s s a v e d i s . . . M a s h a b a H a w k s .”

The Port Shepstone Organized Crime Unit known as Hawks was incorporated into the Port Shepstone DPCI where the speaker was the Unit Commander until 2013.

“Directorate for Priority Crime, DPCI, known as Hawks, the Port Shepstone Organized Crime Unit, where I was the Unit Commander, was incorporated into the Port Shepstone DPCI. I remained the Unit Commander at the Port Shepstone DPCI with the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel until 2013”

The three Section Heads were stationed at the provincial office, the head office of the Hawks in KZN, when General Senona was appointed Provincial Head.

“When General Senona was appointed, all three Section Heads were stationed at the provincial office, which is the head office of the Hawks in KZN”

Magane described himself as coming from the Hawks and thought he had the right to chase away uniformed police officers on the scene, but Chief Mashaba denies this happened.

“I want you to comment on the contents of that paragraph 9, it is true or it is not true. When Magane was asked for reasons why he described himself as coming from the Hawks, he could not give an answer. And on the question why he was chasing uniformed police officers on the scene, his answer was that he was thinking that it was his scene, in other words, he had the right to chase away other police officers. No, this is wrong. It did not happen.”

The first police officers at the crime scene were doing something unlawful or unauthorized, and the Hawks were charged with their role at the crime scene.

“with regard to the first police officers being at the crime scene and that they were doing something unlawful or illegal at the crime scene, it was handled by the Hawks, and I believe they were charged for their role at that crime scene.”

Summary of allegations regarding an incident on 8 and 9 July 2021 involving Chief Mashaba receiving information on suspected drugs, assistance in escorting the truck, discovery of drugs, arrest of driver and recipient, involvement of Dog Unit, LCRC, Hawks, and later arrest and charge of Chief Mashaba and others for drug dealing.

“It is alleged that on Thursday, 8 July 2021, Chief Mashaba received an information about the suspected drugs that were to be transported from Durban to Alberton. The following day, on the 9th of July 2021, the information was followed and Chief Mashaba asked for assistance and he was assisted by Warrant Officer Magane and Warrant Officer Phakula. The truck was then escorted to the destination at Aeroton where the container was opened at the receiving bay. While searching the container, the drugs were found. The driver of the truck and the person who were to receive the cargo were placed under arrest. The Dog Unit and the LCRC were summoned at the scene while still compiling the docket. While compiling the docket, the Hawks member arrived at the scene. Chief Mashaba and members who recovered the drugs were later arrested as per Booysen CAS 8/07/2021 and charged for dealing in drugs. The driver of the truck and the person who was to receive the cargo were then released. The Hawks members found the Booysens Police who attended to a complaint and have given their feedback indicating all was in order and that the police have recovered the drugs and the suspects were arrested.”

Chief Mashaba was arrested by the Hawks while involved in an undercover drug operation which he could not disclose due to the nature of the operation.

“At about 11:26, I received communication from Deputy Director Sekhonyane that Chief Mashaba is being arrested by the Hawks. I called Chief Mashaba and his phone was off. And just a few minutes after that, he called me. He then told me that he could not tell me that they had an undercover operation of drugs when I asked him earlier to join me for the visits to the K78. He told me that the operation was successful, but they are just having a misunderstanding with other members of Crime Intelligence.”

Samuel Mashaba referred to in evidence as a suspect in Booysens and a member of the Hawks, who sent coordinates through Telegram to Warrant Officer Magane.

“This Samuel Mashaba that is saved is Samuel Mashaba of the Hawks, and you say it is a suspect in Booysens, this is the same person that was referred to in your evidence area as the Gauteng Traffic person?”

The police searched the container and found drugs. The truck driver and the person to receive the cargo were arrested but later released after Hawks members arrested the members who covered the drugs.

“The police searched the container and drugs were found in the container. The driver of the truck and the person who were to receive the whole cargo were placed under arrest. However, the Hawks members arrived at the scene and the member who recovered the drugs were later arrested. The driver and the owner of the cargo were then released.”

Brigadier Shibiri said he had a conversation with Mashaba regarding drug trafficking information at Aeroton and being accosted by members of SAPS Crime Intelligence and Hawks who wanted to arrest them.

“He said that he had a conversation with Mashaba, relating to the following upon information about drug trafficking at Aeroton and they were accosted by a member of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Hawks, and want to arrest them”

Assistant Director Maphosho confirms that there are cases where Traffic Police work with SAPS members, especially the Hawks, in operations, although he is unsure about their memorandum of understanding.

“we also have cases where people from the Traffic Police working with the SAPS members, especially the Hawks, do some operation.”

The police officers who later arrived, including the Hawks, took over the scene and arrested the people involved, but did not establish ownership of the drugs properly.

“the police who came , the Hawks who came later to come and handle the scene , did not only handle the scene , they also arrested these people ... the police did not even try and establish as to who is the owner of these drugs”

The investigation of the truck driver's suspicious travel and failure to stop at weigh bridges should have been conducted by the Hawks, but it is difficult as it might look like interference with SAPS investigations.

“I think it is difficult to investigate these kinds of issues because it would look like we are now overstepping on the investigations that is being conducted by the SAPS”

The police officers attending the crime scene interviewed Magane and Mashaba and reported back indicating that it was a legitimate operation and they were assisting before Phakula arrived.

“They attended to the crime scene, they interviewed Magane and Mashaba, and ... they also gave their 08, like their report back to 10111, indicating that it is a legit operation, the police are working, and they were assisting Mashaba and Magane before even Phakula arrived at the crime scene.”

The Hawks members who came later arrested members without following up on information about the movement of drugs, implying irregularities in their conduct.

“So for the Hawks members to come later and arrest these members without even following up upon the information as to where the drugs were going, it was something else ...”

Assistant Director Maphoso suggests that the arrested officers might know more than they claim at the moment because they were arrested; he names Mashaba and Tumelo as people who possibly know more.

“If the Hawks may be dealt with the scene not the way they dealt with, to maybe the statement of those people, I do not know whether they know more than they are saying at the moment because they were arrested ... Which people do you say may be know more? Mashaba and Tumelo.”

The addition of the visit on 1 July to the statements seems to have been agreed upon between the witness and Colonel Jacob, and is problematic because initial statements did not mention this visit nor did the depot manager's statement initially.

“It looks like this is something that you agree to manufacture and add here, because otherwise you would have mentioned it in your earlier statements where you account for your involvement.”

ADV SELLO SC reads from a statement dated 6 October 2025 describing that members of Hawks and a Megafreight official visited on 1 July 2021 to verify the packing list of the container.

“Members of Hawks arrived. An official from Megafreight was present. They indicated they wanted to verify the packing list. When the members had finished, the container was locked and another was placed on the container. ... I really cannot remember the Hawks members' names who came to our company on the 1st of July 2021 to verify that the packing list corresponded with the contents of the container.”

The warehouse manager does not remember names of Hawks members who visited on 1 July 2021 and does not have records to verify the visit.

“I really cannot remember the Hawks members' names who came to our company on the 1st of July 2021 ... My understanding is she does not even have a record to prompt her memory”

Colonel Jacob stated that she was never asked about details of the Hawks people and Mega Freight regarding a specific visit on 1 July 2021, and cannot recall details despite a handwritten statement from 1 October 2025 requesting further clarity.

“Colonel Jacob was suggesting that she was never asked about the detail of the Hawks people and the Mega freight... I have a handwritten statement dated 1 October 2025, paragraph 2... Her response is, I cannot recall as it.”

The statement indicates that Hawks members did come to the company on 1 July 2021 but the witness cannot remember their names.

“I really cannot remember the Hawks members' names who came to our company on the 1st of July 2021 to verify that the packing list corresponded with the contents of the container.”

There is no formal need or structure for the Multi-Dimensional Organised Crime unit leadership to interact with the leadership of the Hawks, except for formal applications when assistance is required.

“No, there is no formal, unless it is something that needs an application where you need to submit when you request whatever, you will be requesting them to assist you with.”

Two senior Hawks officers were arrested on allegations, one of them being released on bail and returning to work without disciplinary action despite serious charges of extortion or corruption.

“One of the ladies there was arrested for extortion or corruption ... The person came back to work, nothing happened”

The IPID recommended initiating disciplinary proceedings against five SAPS and Hawks members, including Major General Khan, Major General Kadwa, Brigadier Sekgobela, Colonel Steyn, and Lieutenant Colonel Sebola, after an investigation based on various statements and evidences including a radio control transcript and forensic report.

“The recommendation is to initiate disciplinary proceedings as the SAPS members involved are ... Major General Khan, Major General Kadwa, Brigadier Sekgobela, Colonel Steyn, and Lieutenant Colonel Sebola”

Four members of the Hawks were arrested on 9 July 2021 and charged with drug dealing related to the Booysens case, but Major General Khan and Kadwa claim lack of involvement or control at the crime scene.

“evidence revealed that ... the complainant and three others were arrested on 9 July 2021 and charged with dealing in drugs as per the Booysens case ... Major General Khan and Kadwa ... unable to explain their role at the crime scene ... General Kadwa indicated he did not do anything at the crime scene as he remained in his car”

Major General Gerber exonerated the four Hawks members he investigated.

“Ultimately he exonerated the four that he investigated, the four Hawks members”

Internal Hawks investigators obtained WhatsApp messages and cellphone analysis indicating that evidence likely to prove crucial to Khan's survival in disciplinary proceedings leaked to the media from an internal report.

“evidence that it leaks, essentially, comes from an internal report . . . Can you confirm whether you know about these WhatsApp messages and the evidence regarding Nku and the Durban businessman?”

Sergeant Nkosi is not a member of the Hawks (SAPs specialized unit).

“Sergeant Nkosi is not a member of the Hawks.”

After internal affairs' investigation hit a dead end, the matter was reported to the Hawks in Pretoria with Colonel Livio Maseko, because it appeared to be a criminal matter requiring forensic audit.

“I then reported the matter to the Hawks , Colonel Livio Maseko , which is the head of Pretoria Hawks . I reported it to him to say we know we have got a criminal matter here which to me looks more criminal and it is not now just an administrative problem anymore and our internal affairs we cannot investigate it further it is now going to be referred to a forensic audit.”

Mr Mnisi asked Sergeant Nkosi for advice on how to deal with the Hawks in relation to certain investigations.

“Mr Mnisi asked you for advice in relation to how he should be dealing with the Hawks .”

Sergeant Nkosi and Mr Mnisi communicated about a draft letter to respond to the Hawks' requests.

“He in fact sent you a draft of the letter that he proposed to write back to the Hawks and he asked you to read it and to confirm that it was in order .”

Sergeant Nkosi responded to Mr Mnisi's draft letter with 'Send. We just saw it now. I am with Zungu,' indicating consultation with Warrant Officer Zungu at the Hawks.

“You responded to him : “Send . We just saw it now . I am with Zungu .” So , in fact , you were speaking to Warrant Officer Zungu , who is in the Hawks , together this advice also on how it would be appropriate to respond to this letter from the Hawks .”

Sergeant Nkosi sent to Mr Mnisi a message clarifying a mistaken reference to a judge's office, about assistance on how to respond to the Hawks' query.

“Zungu, I think I mistake office of DPCI Judge. I think I wrote Sammy Marks. It should be Tramshed. Please confirm before the guys send message”

On 22 November 2024, members of the Hawks visited the City of Tshwane and left a suspicious brown envelope at the securities office, not following proper procedures in their inquiry about Tshwane.

“On the mentioned date, that is 2024 date, it will be the 22nd of November, there was a visit by the member or the so-called member of Hawks into the City of Tshwane. They then came with a brown envelope. They left this note to the securities downstairs for the securities to call or to give it to the CFO. Because the CFO knew me, he found it very odd that if those members were legit and something that they had was legit, why did not they come to his office or follow proper procedures if they have any inquiry about Tshwane, about him representing Tshwane, following the proper procedures?”

The CFO received a call indicating members of the Hawks were looking for him, related to the extortion matter, leading to a conclusion that the letter was a scam or extortion attempt.

“the CFO then received a call... telling him that no, there are members of Hawks there, they were looking for you... that is how now it comes to this page... we came to a conclusion that... it was a scam, or it was an extortion”

There is concern that the General, who heads organized crime in the country, is fearful to mention certain names of people within organized crime and the DPCI/Hawks, which is concerning for the fight against organized crime.

“It is quite concerning that people who head organized crime should be so fearful of people who are alleged to be or are said to be within the organized crime”