The competition to replace Godfrey Lebeya as the Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) is intensifying as his term is set to end in May.
According to three security cluster sources, three top police officials have expressed their interest in the position: Shadrack Sibiya, the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection; Tebello Mosikili, the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Policing; and Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner.
Sibiya, a career police officer, previously worked for the now-disbanded Scorpions and headed the City of Joburg’s forensic investigation division and Gauteng Hawks before being dismissed in 2015. His dismissal was later deemed unfair by the Labour Court in 2020, allowing him to return to the police force.
Mosikili oversees all visible policing and operational environments, including Protection Security Services (PSS), and co-chairs the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints). She also manages the crime detection environment.
Mkhwanazi, currently the provincial police commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, is a former member and head of the police special task force. He previously acted as national police commissioner and played a key role in the suspension of Richard Mdluli following criminal charges against him.
A source familiar with the situation noted that all candidates have extensive experience and knowledge, making the selection process challenging for the panel.
An advertisement in the Sunday Times indicated that the DPCI post will be vacant from June 1, 2025, and encouraged qualified applicants to apply by May 31, 2025.
The Minister of Police, with Cabinet concurrence, will appoint the National Head of the DPCI on a non-renewable fixed-term contract of seven to ten years, subject to conditions set by the South African Police Service Act.
The successful candidate will sign a performance agreement with the Minister of Police and undergo a top-secret security clearance if not already in possession of one. The remuneration package is set at a minimum of R2,151,324 per annum.
Applicants must be South African citizens with relevant experience, integrity, and a recognized degree or equivalent qualification in policing or related fields, along with at least seven years of senior management experience and proven leadership skills.
They should also have a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system, corporate governance principles, strategic capability, leadership, people management, financial skills, and good analytical and communication skills.
Lebeya, whose term ends in May, is the first to complete his term after his predecessor, Berning Ntlemeza, was removed following a court ruling. Another former Hawks head, Anwa Dramat, resigned after a fallout with former police minister Nathi Nhleko over allegations of illegal rendition of Zimbabwean nationals, from which he and Sibiya were later cleared.
The Hawks position is the second most powerful within the police service, with a salary above that of all deputy national commissioners.
