Police killings

In three months, 22 police officers were killed. The majority of them - 16 - were off-duty at the time of their murder.

Lebeya said an attack on police officials is an assault on society and indeed, an attack on the State.

"We categorised the killing of police officials as a national priority offence that requires the attention of the Hawks."

Fifty per cent of the murders took place in Gauteng.

Concerning police killings, Lebeya said 38 people were arrested, 14 convictions secured, and 11 life imprisonments handed down by the courts.

"In addition, 487 years imprisonment were secured."

During this period, 33 police officers - 19 traffic officers and 14 SAPS members - were arrested for various crimes.

These crimes range from fraud, corruption, murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice.

These officers were arrested in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Free State provinces.

"Six police officials were convicted and sentenced for defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit robbery, fraud and corruption."

Cash-in-transit robberies

A total of 50 cash-in-transit heists were recorded during this quarter.

Lebeya said 64 people have been arrested in cash-in-transit related crimes, with 10 suspected criminals killed in a shootout with cops.

Thirteen convictions were secured on CIT and related cases.

Kidnapping and ransom demands

Twenty-four cases of kidnappings were reported to the Hawks during the period under review. Of the 35 suspects arrested, 28 were South Africans and seven were foreign nationals.

South African Revenue Tax (SARS) related cases

During the fourth quarter, 78 suspects were arrested and 37 convictions for tax-related offences.

Lebeya reiterated that the Hawks would continue to execute its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice by the Constitution and other laws of the Republic,” he said.

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Crime Report: 656 arrests, 22 cops killed, drug labs bust as Hawks clamp down on crime