MTHATHA – Two former Hawks members have appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court over allegations that they solicited money from a business owner in exchange for the unlawful withdrawal and destruction of a criminal docket.
Former Captain Given Makhubele and Jacob Tyantini appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, 3 September, following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
The case dates back to July 2023, when the business owner allegedly received a call from one of the accused, who introduced himself as a Hawks official from Gauteng and claimed to be a captain.
The man allegedly told him that the Department of Employment and Labour had opened a criminal case against his company and requested a meeting.
On 4 August 2023, the complainant allegedly received another call from the same person, who demanded R400,000.
The complainant reportedly said he was unable to raise the amount.
The alleged solicitation continued on 5 September 2023, when the complainant was contacted again and a meeting in Mthatha was arranged.
He was allegedly instructed to bring R50,000 in exchange for the destruction of the docket and the closure of the criminal case.
“Unable to raise the full amount, the complainant managed to secure R10 000 and subsequently reported the matter to the Hawks,” Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said.
The Hawks’ investigating team subsequently instituted an operation, which culminated in the arrest of the suspects immediately after the alleged transaction.
Cash believed to be the money involved in the transaction was recovered from their possession.
Both accused were former members of the Hawks.
They initially appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 8 September 2023.
The matter was subsequently provisionally withdrawn against them pending further investigation.
Following the completion of further investigative processes, the accused were served with summons directing them to appear in court on 3 September this year.
The matter was enrolled and postponed to 5 February 2027 for further proceedings.
Both accused are out on warning.
ALSO READ: SAPS confirms dismissal of controversial crime intelligence boss Feroz Khan
