Mbalula livid as ex-Hawks boss barges in
POLICE Minister Fikile Mbalula read the riot act to former Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza after he defiantly pitched up for work‚ barged into a meeting and drove off in a state vehicle yesterday.
He said Ntlemeza had acted unlawfully by arriving at the elite police unit’s offices in Silverton‚ Pretoria.
“We have been informed that General Ntlemeza entered the management meeting of the Hawks at their headquarters ... and he ordered the head of supply chain to give him a car which is roaming the streets of Pretoria or wherever he is,” Mbalula said.
“And he has a cellphone of the state in his possession.”
He said the missing vehicle must be tracked down and brought back, and a warrant of arrest would have to be issued if it was not returned.
Ntlemeza’s lawyer‚ Comfort Ngidi‚ said earlier in the day that Ntlemeza had reported for duty as head of the Hawks after lodging an appeal against a court ruling that effectively stripped him of his position.
On hearing this, Mbalula arrived at the Hawks headquarters shortly afterwards and held a media conference. “There is no movie here,” he said.
“We are running a country here. That must be clear to Ntlemeza wherever he is. We are running a
country‚ not a banana republic. At least when I am still here and still minister of police, I am not going to allow that nonsense.”
Mbalula instructed acting national police commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane to deal decisively with the drama.
“I have explained in no uncertain terms to General Phahlane the consequences if he fails to act on Ntlemeza‚ whether they are friends or not‚” he said.
Ntlemeza reported for work in defiance of a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court on April 12 which confirmed that his appointment as head of the Hawks be set aside. This was after earlier court rulings found that he lacked honesty and integrity.
Mbalula said Ntlemeza was not entitled to report for work even if he did approach the Supreme Court of Appeal to lodge an appeal.
He appointed Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata as the acting head of the Hawks and said yesterday that she remained in that position.
Efforts to obtain further comment from Ntlemeza’s lawyer were unsuccessful yesterday afternoon.