Ntlemeza finally loses job
He now faces corruption probe
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has confirmed that it will investigate allegations of defeating the ends of justice and corruption against embattled Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza, who has lost his job.
The allegations are based on a formal complaint lodged by City of Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba on Tuesday.
“It is alleged that the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)‚ Lt-Gen Mthandazo Ntlemeza‚ gave instructions that serious cases of corruption reported to the DPCI by the City of Joburg not be investigated‚” said Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini last night
“The allegations against Gen Ntlemeza are serious and range from defeating the ends of justice to corruption. Such serious allegations warrant [an] investigation.”
TimesLIVE reported on Tuesday that several cases submitted by the city to the Hawks for investigation had mysteriously stalled. One of the cases involves fraud and corruption implicating 105 city officials and losses to the city amounting to R14.7-million.
Mashaba accused Ntlemeza of allegedly interfering with investigations reported by the city to the Hawks.
The interference included “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”.
Ntlemeza was effectively relieved of his position as head of the Hawks yesterday after his earlier dismissal was enforced by the Pretoria High Court.
Yesterday new Police Minister Fikile Mbalula also withdrew intent to further appeal the matter in the Supreme Court of Appeal which was initially filed by his predecessor Nathi Nhleko.
The Helen Suzman Foundation which launched a case against Ntlemeza has welcomed the withdrawal of the appeal. This came as the court was set to hear Ntlemeza’s application for leave to appeal against the ruling that set aside his appointment.
Foundation’s Chelsea Ramsden said Mbalula’s withdrawal to challenge the ruling was an indication that he felt his argument was legally weak. – Additional reporting by TMG Digital