Mbalula ‘coming’ for ex-Hawks boss

“I am coming for you.”

That was the message sent out to General Berning Ntlemeza and his “rogue elements” yesterday by new Police Minister Fikile Mbalula.

Mbalula said he himself was not a fool.

“Those who obey him and his orders are doing so illegally. We cannot allow rogue police officers using the state resources,” he said, referring to Ntlemeza, who has yet to return all the property he has belonging to the state.

“There is a new sheriff in town. We are not chasing innocent ministers in safe houses.”

Mbalula said he was not at war with anybody. “What belongs to the law must be retrieved. In terms of the car, before I left [the Hawks headquarters] yesterday it was returned. I was not aware that he still has a cellphone.”

He said Ntlemeza was not allowed to wipe any data from his state cellphone.

He said if Ntlemeza was not going to return state property peacefully, “we will retrieve it forcefully”.

“If it means I must send the task force because he is armed and dangerous, I will do it. I can sanction that now. He is not above the law and he should respect that. I have actually been patient and acting in a civilised manner and respecting him,” he said.

Mbalula said if Ntlemeza’s lawyer wanted to take him on in court, he was ready for him. “General Ntlemeza’s lawyer is very provocative.

“I am a law expert and I know the law and I know what I am acting upon.

“The law will never be fair to me if I am acting in an illiterate manner.

“If General Ntlemeza’s lawyer is looking for me, I am here at the police college,” Mbalula said.