Urgent Court Application Interdicting Lieutenant General Ntlemeza

On 16 March 2016, the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) and Freedom Under Law (FUL) launched an urgent application seeking to interdict Lieutenant General Berning Ntlemeza from exercising any power or discharging any function or duty as the head of the Hawks (the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation). This interdict is to operate pending the outcome of a judicial review of Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko's decision to appoint Lieutenant General Ntlemeza as National Head of the Hawks. This review was simultaneously launched with the urgent interdict papers.

Lieutenant General Ntlemeza was appointed to the highest office within the Republic's corruption and crime fighting unit, the Hawks, despite damning judicial findings impugning his integrity, honesty and fitness and propriety to hold such office.

Both the HSF and FUL contend that, based on the reasons provided by the office of the Minister, these judicial findings were not even, or were not properly, considered. Moreover, in light of such findings, Lieutenant General Ntlemeza could never have properly been appointed and is unfit for office.

In order to protect the Republic and to safeguard the integrity of the Hawks, the HSF and FUL contend that the urgent relief sought is necessary.

Statement issued by Matthew Kruger, Legal Researcher, and Francis Antonie, Director, Helen Suzman Foundation, 16 March 2016