Hawks arrest prison warden for plotting to assassinate officials
A 47-year-old prison warden has been arrested by the Hawks for allegedly plotting to assassinate senior officials at the Waainek Correctional Centre, following a thorough intelligence-driven investigation.
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THE Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, has 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 initiated after the Hawks received classified information on Wednesday, indicating 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 noted that the matter was immediately prioritised and handed over 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, and the suspect was apprehended later that evening at his home at approximately 6:20pm.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
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.