Thandi Mbambo appointed Hawks spokesperson

Staff Reporter

Free State police spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo has been appointed the national spokesperson for the priority crime investigating unit, the Hawks.

She takes over from Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi who resigned in November last year after he was implicated in a R3 million ‘scandal’ involving his non-profit organisation and the National Lottery Commission.

Mbambo, who officially assumed her new role this week, told The Free Stater that she was excited and looking forward to use her expertise to promote the work of the Hawks, also known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.

“Every elevation within the ranks comes with higher responsibilities and expectations,” said Mbambo, who has also been elevated to the rank of Brigadier.

“The same goes with this new appointment. I am actually excited that I have been offered an opportunity to join this complex environment,” she added.

The DPCI is an independent directorate within the SA Police Service responsible for the combating, investigation and prevention of national priority crimes such as serious organised crime, serious commercial crime and serious corruption.

Mbambo said speaking on behalf of the Hawks will be different due to the nature of the cases that the unit deals with.

“I will be communicating differently to what I have been used to,” she said.

“I believe that the expertise that I bring along will also add value to the organisation and, together with the team that is currently in place, we will work to elevate the performance of the entity through aggravated marketing of successes and also the activities of the Hawks.”