Hawks struggle with staffing shortages amid heavy caseload

The Hawks are operating with only 51% of their required staff, raising concerns about their ability to handle critical investigations efficiently.

Overwhelming Caseload

The elite crime-fighting unit is currently burdened with over 18,000 dockets, making it difficult to process cases swiftly. The shortage of personnel has significantly affected the turnaround time for cases of national interest, including corruption, organized crime, and high-profile investigations.

Leadership Transition

Hawks head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, is set to end his seven-year term at the end of May this year. His departure comes at a time when the directorate faces increasing pressure to improve its investigative efficiency and fill vacant positions.

Challenges in Recruitment

Lebeya has expressed concern that the current hiring process is too slow, preventing the unit from filling critical vacancies in a timely manner. Without a fully staffed team, the Hawks may continue to struggle with their heavy workload, further delaying justice in high-priority cases.

Call for Urgent Intervention

With the Hawks playing a key role in tackling serious crime, urgent measures are needed to address staff shortages and strengthen the unit’s capacity to handle national investigations effectively.