City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, has requested the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) to probe alleged meddling in City investigations by Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) head Major-General Berning Ntlemeza.
Mashaba said he met with Ipid’s executive director, Robert McBride this week and asked the directorate to investigate Ntlemeza’s alleged ‘abuse of power and defeating the ends of justice’.
Serious allegations, Mashaba said, were brought forward of Ntlemeza – whose appointment as Hawks head had been challenged and affirmed in the High Court – interfering in investigations by the City’s anti-corruption unit, headed by former Gauteng Hawks head, Shadrack Sibiya.
“This includes an instruction made to all members involved in such investigations to no longer pursue such cases, nor arrest suspects. Further, threats of surveillance and monitoring were made against members who investigate our matters,” said Mashaba.
According to Mashaba, a number of cases where investigations were completed but no further action has been taken and warrants of arrests have been obtained but not executed, supports these allegations. He claimed the success of referred cases from the City has also caught the attention of Ntlemeza.
The anti-corruption unit has been responsible for numerous investigations into corruption, and arrests by both the South African Police and Hawks. Those yielding substantial evidence are also referred to both for further investigation.
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Mashaba said the Hawks, police, and National Prosecuting Authority need to work together to successfully fight corruption within the City.
A copy of the complaint was forwarded by Mashaba to the Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula, and the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane.
Hawks national spokesperson had been contacted for comment. The story will be updated once it has been received.
