DA wants Hawks spokesperson suspended over R3M funding saga

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, to suspend its spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi, until an investigation looking into R3 million he is alleged to have received from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), has been completed.

According to the DA, Mulaudzi received the funds to establish a sports centre in Limpopo.

“He received these funds despite the fact that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) handed over evidence to the Hawks regarding alleged corruption at the NLC related to the Denzhe Primary Care Scandal,” said DA MP Mat Cuthbert.

The DA has questioned whether the controversy surrounding the funding had any bearing on the Hawks’ ability to investigate, charge and arrest those implicated in corruption at the NLC.

“Therefore, considering the serious nature of these allegations as well as the several unanswered questions related to this matter, the DA calls on the Head of the Hawks, Godfrey Lebeya, to suspend Mulaudzi until an internal investigation is conducted,” Cuthbert said.

“The integrity of the investigation into corruption at the NLC needs to be maintained so that those guilty of stealing taxpayers’ money can be put behind bars”

Hawks head: Mulaudzi not involved in investigations

The Hawks’ Godfrey Lebeya however has said Mulaudzi is not involved in any investigations.

“May the public rest assured that [Mulaudzi] is only focusing on our communication matters and is not involved in investigations,” Lebeya said in a statement.

“Without confirming or denying as to whether [Mulaudzi] is suspected to be involved in the allegations at hand, the current investigations reported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition are handled by the Serious Economic Offences unit, under the supervision of a Brigadier and a Major-General.”

Lebeya said the senior managers conduct their investigation without fear or favour and that as the Hawks, this was something they were very much aware of.

The Hawks also added that Lebeya had not received any complaint from the complainants in this regard.

“Should the complainants feel that the investigation is not conducted properly, they are at liberty to bring it to [Lebeya’s ] attention,” the Hawks said.

The Hawks said should the complainants feel that the DPCI is unduly influenced, the DPCI Retired Judge is at their disposal.

Lebeya has assigned another Brigadier to conduct enquiries at internal level and to report the findings to him. Such inquiry, the Hawks said, is intended to ensure that nothing is left unattended.