Hawks head Lebeya denies wasteful spending on R50K bespoke graduation gown
Lebeya gave a wrap of the agency’s financial year on Friday in Pretoria where he said the gown was part of a branding exercise.
National Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Godfrey Lebeya. Picture: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG - Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya has defended the crime-fighting agency’s decision to splurge over R50,000 on a bespoke graduation gown.
This follows a report by News24 that the agency had spared no expense to buy Lebeya the lavish robe he has been seen wearing at media briefings.
The hefty spending comes amid concerns that the Hawks are low on funds.
Lebeya gave a wrap of the agency's financial year on Friday in Pretoria where he said the gown was part of a branding exercise.
"If you look behind, you will see the corporate attire but no one has asked how much it costs to get that type of image."
He denies any wasteful expenditure on the glitzy piece.
"People should be understanding in that fashion. Anyone who can give me a cheaper quote on the newspaper [advertising] or TV, we will consider so that members of the public may know the existence of the Hawks."
PHALA PHALA
Meanwhile, Lebeya also confirmed they could still zero in on another suspect in the burglary at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo.
READ: Hawks confirm Ramaphosa's former bodyguard won't be prosecuted over Phala Phala
Close to R10 million in undeclared game proceeds were stolen from the president's farm in 2020.
Three people have since been arrested, including a former employee at the farm.
They face charges of theft and housebreaking.
Lebeya said cross-border investigations were still underway.
"And I think based on that information that will come, including evidence, there might be developments in that regard."
Lebeya did not rule out the prospect of another arrest.
"We have got an individual that we expect we might be able to add if traced."