Ntlemeza determined to fight on
‘Mbalula is interfering in work of ex-Hawks boss’
Sacked Hawks boss LieutenantGeneral Berning Ntlemeza will still push hard to have his application to interdict Police Minister Fikile Mbalula to be heard on an urgent basis.
Ntlemeza wants the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to rule that Mbalula is acting extrajudicially by blocking him from resuming duties. Soon after the same court ruled last month that Ntlemeza was dishonest and unfit to be Hawks boss, Mbalula moved swiftly to remove him.
He appointed Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata as acting head of the Hawks.
Ntlemeza sought to return to work after Matakata’s appointment. His lawyers argued he was eligible to resume duty because he had filed appeal papers at the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Ntlemeza’s urgent application to interdict Mbalula was scheduled to be heard at the North Gauteng High Court on Monday but Judge Bill Prinsloo struck the matter off the roll, citing the disorderly nature of both Ntlemeza and Mbalula’s legal papers.
Ntlemeza’s lawyer Comfort Ngidi said both parties were sorting out their papers and working towards getting a new date.
“We’re still on the right path to have it heard as an urgent application. It was not struck off because it’s not urgent. It was struck off because the court said it’s not ready to be argued,” Ngidi said.
He said they want Mbalula to stop interfering in Ntlemeza’s work. “We’re satisfied that while we’re waiting for the appeal, he’s entitled to be at work. While the matter is set to be heard in Bloemfontein, the minister should not interfere with Ntlemeza’s work.
“He’s not been able to work. I’m in the dark whether he’s suspended or fired. We’re saying he’s staying home with no clear reasons. We see that as interference.”