Hawks spokesperson resigns amid questionable R3m ‘donation’

The spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi has stepped down from his post.

Mulaudzi, who resigned on Monday, 9 November 2020, was caught up in the middle of a scandal involving the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The NLC had made a R3 million donation to Mulaudzi’s foundation, to go towards the establishment of a sports centre.

“The spokesperson of the Hawks, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi has tendered his resignation this morning to the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya for consideration,” said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale.

“The national head considered the resignation. The reasons for tendering the resignation cited as personal. The national head has accepted the resignation with immediate effect.”

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale

Hawks spokesperson accused of colluding to acquire donation

The Democratic Alliance (DA), which had spearheaded calls for Mulaudzi to be suspended, has welcomed his decision to step down. The official opposition questioned the donation and subsequently  laid a complaint to police Minister Bheki Cele.

He had been accused of colluding with senior officials at the NLC to secure the funds. Mulaudzi was also accused of using the donation to help raise funds for the ANC. Mulaudzi has however, denied any wrongdoing and the Hawks further came out denying he had any influence in the conducting of investigations.

The party claimed the money Mulaudzi’s NPO had received was misappropriated.

“We raised this issue several weeks ago because we found it rather off that a serving public official had received R3 million from the lottery and we believe there was a conflict of interest. We also received a report …which showed that there had been some form of ANC fundraising that had taken pace through this particular project,” said DA MP Mathew Cuthbert.

“We welcome his resignation in light of the fact that there is sufficient prima facie evidence in the public domain. We also call for a thorough investigation to be completed into his conduct and that the results of that particular investigation be made public,”

DA MP Mathew Cuthbert

The DA further claimed that Mulaudzi went ahead and changed the name of his company after a local newspaper ran a story on the donation. The party cast doubt on the Hawks’ impartiality in relation to investigating alleged corruption at the NLC, following the donation.