Hawks: Khuba affidavit should see Ntlemeza fired immediately
17 March 2016
The DA calls on Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko, to do the right thing for once, fix the mess of his own creation and immediately fire the dubiously appointed and politically compromised Hawks Head, Berning Ntlemeza, as the first step in restoring credibility in this corruption busting unit. Mr Ntlemeza has, since before his tenure, proven that he is not a fit and proper person to hold this position.
This follows a damning affidavit lodged by former Limpopo IPID head, Humbulani Khuba, charged alongside suspended IPID Executive Director, Robert McBride, which details how the embattled Ntlemeza knew he would be appointed as acting head of the Hawks a full year and three months before he was actually appointed. This likely informed the unlawful suspension of Anwa Dramat and is prima facie evidence that the removal of Dramat and his [Ntlemeza’s] installation was born of breaches in law and rooted in undue political considerations.
Specifically, the Khuba affidavit asserts that “In September 2013, General Ntlemeza called me using my wife’s number and requested me to come to his house…He told me that he regretted to inform me that his political principals want him to head the Hawks and not IPID.”
Ntlemeza was appointed as Acting Head in December 2014, following the suspension and eventual resignation of Anwa Dramat, and was made permanent in September 2015.