DEVELOPING | Don't attempt to flee - Hawks warn two remaining suspects as five of seven arrested

Five of seven arrests made as Hawks haul alleged masterminds in R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed to News24 that five out of seven suspects were in custody.

He urged the remaining two suspects to cooperate and not attempt to flee, as this would make matters worse for them.

It is believed one suspect in KZN and another in Gauteng are yet to be apprehended. Mulaudzi said the operation was launched simultaneously in three provinces, Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

Four of the seven suspects are current or former government officials, while three are private businessmen. In addition to the seven suspects, five companies are expected to be charged.

Search and seizure operarions are underway at two locations in Gauteng and the Free State, Mulaudzi said.

Hawks eye seven arrests in total as R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal caves

Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi told ENCA earlier on Wednesday that the operation was taking place in three provinces - Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal and hoped to net seven suspects in all. 

There has been little official communication from the Hawks beyond short statements made to television news reporters.

It is understood that one of the suspects, who has not been officially identified, was taken into custody by Hawks officials at his attorney's offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg. 

The Hawks are also carrying out search and seizure operations at various business premises in Gauteng, however no further details are available at this stage.

A full statement from the Hawks has been promised, but is yet to be released.

State capture: Hawks arrest alleged masterminds in R255m Free State asbestos audit scandal

The arrests were made by the Hawks as part of a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team. An official announcement by the team is expected later this afternoon.

More arrests are expected, according to a Hawks spokesperson.

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