Hawks irked by Ipid’s comments
THE Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) yesterday said it was concerned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) was commenting in public about matters it was investigating.
A day after Ipid boss Robert McBride ignored a request by the Hawks to submit a warning statement in connection with crimes he is accused of, the Hawks said it was “concerned” about public utterances on the matter.
“The national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Berning Ntlemeza has noted with concern ongoing views expressed by the Ipid in relation to work of the Hawks.”
The Hawks said it was investigating crimes allegedly committed by McBride and others. “It is unfortunate that colleagues within the country’s criminal justice system have resorted to communicating internal security matters using media interviews and information leaks,” said the unit’s spokesman, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
McBride said in earlier reports that he believed the move to investigate him was related to the Ipid having taken a warning statement from its boss last week.
He alleged that Ntlemeza threatened that the Hawks “would be taking statements against the Ipid investigators”.
The Hawks boss is accused of fraud, crimen injuria and defamation of character.
The Ipid boss dismissed the charges related to a decade old case of a stolen BMW X5 and defeating the ends of justice as “spurious and frivolous”.
But, the Hawks hit back in a statement saying: “It is not in the nature of the Hawks to conduct its work and investigations in public; however recent misleading statements by Ipid have prompted the Hawks to respond.
The Hawks added: “It is a matter of fact that the Hawks are indeed conducting several investigations which we cannot reveal into serious and sensitive cases against the executive director and his associates. Instead of seeking media and public sympathy, the Ipid executive director should instead co-operate with the investigation”.
Mulaudzi said the cases preferred against the McBride were not initiated by the Hawks, but were referred to them for further investigation.
“It is therefore unfounded that there is a plot against the executive director led by the minister of police and Ntlemeza, as he would want the public to believe,” said Mulaudzi.
“The Hawks takes with serious exception the executive director’s refusal to present himself to the Hawks’ offices for warning statements, and as such we are considering the next course of action.”
Mulaudzi confirmed that Ntlemeza was requested by Ipid on December 12 to provide warning statements on two cases of alleged perjury and crimen injuria at the Hawks offices – which he complied with in the interest of justice.
“Furthermore, it is concerning in the extreme that the executive director continues to use the name of the police minister, accusing him of having a vendetta against him.
Mudslinging
“The ongoing investigation against the executive director is conducted by the Hawks and has nothing to do with the minister,” said Mulaudzi.
“We are making a call using a public platform to our respected colleagues to desist from the public mudslinging and misinformation whatever the motive.
“If colleagues wish to express any dissatisfaction we urge them to use the correct platforms and appropriate communication channels.”
Mulaudzi said the Hawks would continue with their investigations “without fear or favour”.