Former Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza reports for duty

Ntlemeza has reported for duty at the Hawks Silverton office despite being told that he is no longer the head of the elite crime-busting unit almost two weeks ago.

He entered the Hawks building to his offices via a back entrance, avoiding a small group of Democratic Alliance supporters and a dozen journalists.

DA spokesperson on police Zakhele Mbhele, who came to picket with a group of DA supporters at the entrance of the Hawks office in Silverton, said: “Because General Ntlemeza has filed with the Supreme Court of Appeal, it means technically he is not out of the position while that  appeal is pending.

Zakhele Mbhele, the DA shadow Minister of Police, speaks to the press outside the Hawks offices in Silverton, Pretoria. Photo by Yeshiel Panchia

“But we believe this matter is too urgent and important to be delayed, and that is why we urged the Police Minister Fikile Mbalula to take steps to affect the suspension of Ntlemeza in the meantime, which can be done by the parliamentary portfolio committee on police initiating an inquiry into Ntlemeze’s fitness to office, and that will empower the minister to suspend him while the inquiry is under way.”

DA protesters outside the Hawks office in Pretoria

Mbhele said they believe parliament and the minister could not be idle while this governance crisis and the leadership of the Hawks was under question.

He added that if Ntlemeza was back at work, it was a clear case of a violation of the rule of law.

“There is a very clear prima facie case against him that he is not fit to occupy this office. By being here it amounts to interference and a threat to the effect function of the Hawks, and we will certainly pushing for steps to be taken further in parliament for the suspension to take place.

Democratic Alliance (DA) members protest outside the Hawks offices in Silverton, Pretoria. Photo by Yeshiel Panchia

Ntlemeza’s legal representative, Comfort Ngidi, told The Citizen that his client did not sneak in, but used an entrance he always used in the past when reporting for duty.

“He is in his office doing his day’s work. He is back at work,” she said.

Ngidi said the Supreme Court documents were filed last week Friday.

ALSO READ: Ntlemeza should report to Phahlane, not Hawks

The High Court in Pretoria ruled that Ntlemeza’s appointment was unlawful and irregular.

A day after this ruling, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula appointed Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata as the new acting head of the Hawks and instructed acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phahlane to collect all property of the Hawks from Ntlemeza.

Ngidi said earlier that should Ntlemeza get any resistance from doing his work, he would turn to the court for help.

Ntlemeza remains a police officer and has not yet been subject to disciplinary procedures by the police. He therefore remains a member of the SA Police Service.

The minister told the media Ntlemeza had been removed from his position as the head of the Hawks by the high court, a decision that he had not opposed since it had stood little chance of success.

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