DA bemoans the ‘escalating’ crisis in the Hawks
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says the crisis inside the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) shows no signs of abating.
Speaking outside the Hawks’ offices in Pretoria on Monday, the DA’s Zakhele Mbhele said the former Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza’s decision to return to work is a sign of the increasing woes at the elite crime fighting unit.
“The fact that Ntlemeza came to the office this morning, is a clear case that the crisis at the Hawks continues to escalate. We want to ensure that the damage is contained by having him suspended through a Parliamentary process provided for in the SAPS Act,” said Mbhele.
Ntlemeza returned to work despite being shown the door by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula. The High Court in Pretoria dismissed his appeal of an earlier ruling that declared his 2015 appointment unlawful.
Ntlemeza’s lawyer Comfort Ngidi has confirmed he will appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
Mbhele believes a Parliamentary inquiry into Ntlemeza’s fitness to hold office is needed to remove Ntlemeza.