Ntlemeza, Mdluli on way out
Police minister welcomes new chapter of stability and vision at crime intelligence
CONTROVERSIAL Hawks boss General Berning Ntlemeza and crime intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Richard Mdluli‚ who has been on suspension for years‚ are on their way out‚ Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said in Pretoria yesterday.
He said Ntlemeza had signed his retirement documents and the process of replacing him had already started.
“An advertisement for the vacancy has been published and we anticipate finality of the process before the end of February,” Mbalula said.
Last month, the Constitutional Court dismissed Ntlemeza’s application for condonation and leave to appeal his axing as his appeal had no prospects of success.
Mbalula said an independent interviewing panel would be appointed to advise him on a shortlist of fit and proper candidates to choose from.
He said Mdluli‚ through a mutual agreement‚ would be relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
Mbalula said this development enabled the police to move to the next chapter and instil stability and vision at crime intelligence.
“I have instructed [national police commissioner] General [Khehla] Sitole to set out to appoint a fit and proper man or woman into the position without further delay.”
The minister said this was part of his effort to bring about stability in crime intelligence‚ and that part of the turnaround plan in the crime-fighting strategy was to have intelligenceled police to disturb and disrupt crime. “In the past five years‚ [crime intelligence] has seen 12 acting divisional commissioners,” Mbalula said.
“This alarmed me greatly when I assumed my position and I made it a core shortterm plan to fix it. “It is now fixed.” Mdluli‚ who is on trial for kidnapping and has weathered numerous allegations of fraud and corruption‚ had ben on paid leave for six years‚ earning his full salary and bonuses.
The entire Mdluli debacle has cost the taxpayer about R10-million.
Mdluli and his co-accused, Mthembeni Mthunzi‚ are facing charges for the 1999 murder of Oupa Abel Ramogibe‚ who was the husband of Mdluli’s ex-girlfriend.
The charges include kidnapping‚ intimidation‚ assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. They have pleaded not guilty.
“This allows us to move to the next chapter,” Mbalula said. – TimesLIVE
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