Comment from Freedom Under Law and HSF re judgment in respect of Ntlemeza matter

19 April 2016

Comment from Judge Johann Kriegler of Freedom Under Law (FUL) in response to the Pretoria High Court’s dismissal of the urgent interim application to stop Lt Gen Ntlemeza from exercising any power or duty as Head of the Hawks:

We and our co-applicants, the Helen Suzman Foundation, are studying the written judgment, which is now available.  

The court’s decision to dismiss the interim application does not affect the main application to establish if Lt Gen Berning Ntlemeza’s appointment as head of the Hawks was lawful, which is still proceeding. While we are disappointed, we remain hopeful that we will achieve what we set out to do, which is to ensure that a person who is unfit for office is dismissed from this position.

Comment from Francis Antonie, Director of the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF):

We are obviously disappointed with the ruling on the matter relating to the urgent application and are considering our options in terms of appeal.  At the same time, we will now proceed with an extensive review on the merits of the case, for which we are awaiting a date.

Issued by Sandra Sowray, Director, Prolog Consulting, on behalf of HSF and FUL, 19 April 2016