Nhleko called to special talks

Police portfolio committee to discuss High Court ruling on Hawks boss

PARLIAMENT’S watchdog committee on police will summon Police Minister Nathi Nhleko to a special meeting in April, following yesterday’s high court ruling setting aside the appointment of Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza.

“We will obviously study the judgment, but have resolved to ensure we today apply for a special portfolio committee meeting, which will be held during the recess period on April 7, to discuss the matter in detail,” said Francois Beukman, chairperson.

Ntlemeza was appointed as head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in September 2015, just months after Judge Elias Matojane of the High Court in Pretoria ruled that Ntlemeza “lacks integrity and honour” and had made false statements under oath.

He was acting Hawks head at the time.

Last year, it emerged Nhleko had subverted the law by not informing Parliament timeously of Ntlemeza’s posting.

Beukman said Nhleko needed to deal with Friday’s court judgment as a matter of priority as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation was integral in the fight against organised crime which “affects the lives of all South Africans”.

“It is critical the matter is addressed as a priority, as we cannot allow a vacuum in the leadership of the DPCI.”

In its judgment, the court with the applicants, the Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law, that the appointment of Ntlemeza, whom a judge had previously found to be dishonest when he lied under oath, was “irrational and unlawful”.

The court ruled: “The decision of the minister of September 10, 2015 in terms of which Major General Ntle- meza was appointed national head of the Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigations is hereby reviewed and set aside.”

After the ruling, Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said he could not say if the judgment meant that Ntlemeza was no longer the head of the elite unit.

He said the Hawks would study the judgement and the minister would make an announcement.

The ANC said it had “noted” the judgment.

“This judgment follows an admission made by the Minister of Police, Comrade Nathi Nhleko, to Parliament last year that an error had been made in the procedure followed to appoint General Ntlemeza,” it said in a terse statement from national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.

“The ANC trusts therefore that today’s judgment brings this matter to finality.” – ANA

Berning Ntlemeza