Hawks foil assassination plot: Prison warden arrested for conspiring to kill senior officials
The Hawks arrested a serving prison warden after an intelligence-driven investigation into an alleged plot to murder senior correctional officials.
Image: Thomas Holder
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, have arrested a 47-year-old serving Correctional Services official for allegedly conspiring to murder senior officials at the Waainek Correctional Centre in the Eastern Cape.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the arrest followed an intelligence-driven investigation launched after the Hawks received classified information on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, pointing to credible and imminent threats against senior management at the facility.
“The intelligence indicated that the intended targets were the Head of Centre and a Unit Manager at Waainek Correctional Centre, both of whom are responsible for the administration, discipline and security of the institution,” said Mhlakuvana.
He said the matter was immediately prioritised and handed to the East London Serious Corruption Investigation unit for further probing.
Investigations allegedly revealed that the suspect, a prison warden, unlawfully communicated with an incarcerated individual via WhatsApp, during which discussions were held about the planned assassination of the identified officials.
“The suspect allegedly went beyond making threats and actively planned and facilitated the crime, including attempts to recruit hitmen and negotiations over payment estimated at R50,000 per target,” Mhlakuvana said.
He added that the evidence gathered pointed to a concerted agreement to commit a serious violent crime, meeting the legal threshold for a charge of conspiracy to commit murder.
Following the assessment of the evidence, a warrant of arrest was authorised on Friday, 6 February 2026, and the suspect was arrested later that evening at his home at about 18:20.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 February 2026.
Eastern Cape Hawks provincial head Obed Ngwenya commended the investigating team for their swift action in preventing a serious crime and ensuring that the suspect is brought before court.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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