Search for Hawks ex-boss
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula has instructed acting national police commissioner Johannes Phahlane to find disgraced former Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza and seize a state vehicle and cellphone from him.
“We’ve been informed that General Ntlemeza entered the management meeting of the Hawks at the Hawks headquarters this morning, and he ordered the head of supply chain to give him a car which is now roaming around the streets of Pretoria or wherever he is this afternoon.
“He also has a cellphone of government in his possession,” Mbalula told journalists at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – the Hawks – in Pretoria. “I have communicated with General Phahlane before I came in here, that all of that must be found and brought back to the State, and all shall be in order. Should anybody enter these premises, in whatever guise, it is illegal and that person must be arrested with immediate effect.”
Mbalula said there were “no two heads of the Hawks”. He recently appointed Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata in an acting capacity to replace Ntlemeza.
“There is no state of crisis. We are aware the battle is now being fought outside the courts and the law is being disregarded. Where the law is being disregarded, it can only be in a banana republic. Our constitutional democracy and our law enforcement are being challenged. I have explained, in no uncertain terms, to General Phahlane the implications of him failing to act on General Ntlemeza. Whether they are friends or not, the law must be enforced,” said Mbalula.
“He has no right to enter and instruct anybody to take orders from him,as far as the Hawks are concerned. I have explained that to General Matakata too and she understands that very well. It is business as usual, but unusual when it comes to fighting crime. We don’t need this drama and this Hollywood movie. This is simply a movie that must come to an end.”
It emerged yesterday morning that Ntlemeza sneaked back into the elite police unit’s head offices in Pretoria, avoiding a contingent of news crews and protesters at the main entrance. Earlier this month, Mbalula said he had instructed Phahlane to recoup all state assets from Ntlemeza.
“I have explained to the top management of the Hawks that it is important that we move in concert going forward.” – ANA