The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has arrested a 46-year-old bank employee on charges of corruption, defeating the ends of justice, and money laundering. The arrest was effected on 17 June 2026 by members of the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) Nelspruit, assisted by the Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Pretoria, following an extensive investigation stemming from Operation Billfish, a wildlife trafficking investigation conducted by the Hawks' Wildlife Trafficking Section and Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI) in Nelspruit. The investigation relates to an integrated operation conducted on 12 June 2018 in the Hazyview and Nelspruit areas, during which a suspected rhino horn trafficking syndicate was targeted. One of the suspects, Mr Mabuza, was arrested for allegedly dealing in rhino horns together with two other syndicate members. During the operation, law enforcement officers seized the suspect’s cellphone, which was subjected to forensic analysis. Information extracted from the device allegedly revealed communication between Mabuza and the suspect, who was employed as a Customer Consultant at a reputable bank in Nelspruit. Further investigations allegedly uncovered that the suspect shared a photograph of a subpoena served on the bank by a financial analyst attached to the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCMC). The subpoena sought banking records relating to Mabuza, who was under investigation for corruption and rhino poaching-related activities. It is further alleged that after sharing the subpoena, the suspect communicated with Mabuza regarding funds held in the account under investigation. Subsequent to these communications, an amount of approximately R1.1 million was allegedly transferred from the account under scrutiny to another private account. The investigation also revealed that on 18 September 2017, Mabuza allegedly sent the suspect a deposit slip reflecting a payment of R10 000 that had been deposited into her son’s bank account. Following the completion of the investigation, a warrant of arrest was authorised and executed against the suspect on 17 June 2026. The suspect is expected to make her first appearance in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on 18 June 2026.