Ntlemeza’s Sunday service

HAWKS boss General Berning Ntlemeza yesterday remained tightlipped about a court’s decision to declare him unfit for office.

Instead, the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime took to Katlehong where he attended the Incredible Happenings Ministry for a Sunday morning service, where he was prayed for.

The church is run by controversial Prophet Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng. Before taking to the podium, Ntlemeza sat quietly and listened to the sermon by Motsoeneng, as well as details of a handful of criminal cases related by some congregants.

Later on the jovial Hawks general joked that he didn’t know who informed the media about his visit to the church. He highlighted that there was nothing sinister about his visit.

“We never planned this yesterday. We planned it long ago,” he said. Ntlemeza spoke to journalists, saying they faced challenges and he understood they had to write stories but he said he hoped after his visit to the church and the prayers, they would not visit his offices without purpose and that they would bring substantial information. Ntlemeza addressed the church members, saying the community had to assist the police in tackling crime.

“Those who possess illegal firearms must hand them in… Their days are numbered,” he said.

He also urged the church to pray for the police and against police killings as law officials are human beings and have families.

“The Hawks will go on to work and deal with the mandate given to them. Let’s support them as loving people of this country. Unless we are all criminals, I believe there is no criminal in church.”

Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the police ministry was appealing the court judgment.

“The fact that minister Nathi Nhleko was appealing means that they are happy with the performance of the old man.”

The North Gauteng High Court last Friday declared Ntlemeza’s appointment as unlawful and irrational as per the application brought by the Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law. Both organisations wanted Nhleko’s appointment of Ntlemeza set aside and a new candidate to be employed.

The high court affirmed an earlier decision by Judge Elias Matojane who found that Ntlemeza lacked integrity for lying under oath when he was acting Hawks boss before being appointed by Ntleko in 2014.