Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) Launched Today

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The SAPS issued the following statement with regard to the Establishment of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations .......

Today the Minister and Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa and Mr Fikile Mbalula, together with Deputy National Commissioner Anwa Dramat, officially launched the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI).

As from today all the investigative powers exercised and functions performed by the former Directorate for Special Operations (DSO) will be exercised and performed by the DPCI.

Already, 218 members of the DSO have been placed within the South African Police Service, 51 to Organised Crime, 61 to Commercial Crime and 106 to Crime Intelligence. This means that almost 80% of DSO investigators have voluntarily opted to become incorporated into the SAPS.

This is an interim placement pending an approved structure for the DPCI. In terms of the law, these members will remain assigned to their existing cases irrespective of where they have been placed in the South African Police Service. In relation to cases transferred to the South African Police Service, 144 cases are already before court and 288 current projects have been transferred.

The organizational structure of the DPCI is in the process of being finalised, and it is envisaged that the functions of the SAPS’s Organised Crime Unit, Commercial Crime Unit and the High Technology Project Centre will also be transferred to the DPCI.

Invitations have been extended to all former DSO special investigators as well as to detectives based at the three mentioned SAPS units to apply for positions within the DPCI.

Until the DPCI is permanently staffed by members who meet the two set criteria – top secret vetting and selection in terms of Human Resources criteria – identified personnel from the environments already mentioned will be assigned to perform investigative functions for the DCPI.

It must be emphasised that a great deal of care has been taken to ensure that the migration from the DSO to the South African Police Service will not prejudice existing cases. The investigative assets of the DSO were audited in February 2009 and have been transferred to the SAPS with the members.

Since 1 April 2009, the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have been working together to ensure a seamless transition from the DSO to the SAPS. Joint Operational Management Teams were formed to manage the former DSO’s cases jointly and have made extensive and detailed preparations to ensure that the handover of cases proceeds smoothly and that all operational needs will continue to be met. These teams will continue to assist the Head of the DPCI to manage the cases until the Directorate is fully functional.

Former DSO special investigators based at four of the five regional offices (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Free State and Kwa-Zulu Natal) and the Head Office of the DSO have started relocating to identified SAPS premises. The SAPS has taken over the former DSO offices in Pretoria.

On 21 May 2009, Cabinet approved the appointment of Deputy National Commissioner Anwa Dramat to take charge of this new Directorate of the South African Police Service.

The DPCI, dubbed “The Hawks”, has been tasked to prevent, combat and investigate national priority offences as well as any other offence or category of offences referred to the Directorate by the National Commissioner.

The newly formed DPCI will be staffed by skilled investigators who are of the highest moral fibre. Stringent vetting procedures – including on-going integrity tests - have been put in place to ensure a merger of experience, skills, honesty and integrity.

The DPCI will draw its inspiration from a highly skilled machine of prey – the hawk. The hawk teaches us to focus and zero in on a particular subject. It is a messenger, a visionary and protector with the exceptional talent of rooting out the finer detail that others miss. Similarly, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations will endeavour to be thorough in its processes.

The South African Police Service is confident that this new Directorate, which will be assisted by a dedicated component of prosecutors, will make a significant impact on organised crime syndicates, serious and violent crimes as well as white-collar crimes and corruption.

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SAPS Communication

Gallagher Estate 2009-07-06

BACSA wishes the new Directorate well and hopes that it will live up to expectations. Now more than ever with the country in the midst of an economic downturn, white-collar crimes tend to increase. The Directorate requires highly specialised skills to deal with these types of crimes and the operating syndicates.