Mbalula appoints acting Hawks boss
Police minister Fikile Mbalula has appointed Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata as acting Hawks head.
Mbalula acted swiftly to replace Berning Ntlemza following a ruling by the North Gauteng High Court, dismissing a bid to appeal an earlier ruling that set aside his 2015 appointment.
Mbalula says his decision to appoint Matakata was informed by the court ruling.
“The court judgement means we must give effect to the court order of March 17, 2017 that sets aside his appointment. I am expected to act in the best interest of the public, to guard against wasteful and irregular expenditure. This case lacked prospects of success and going forward our responsibility is to fight crime.”
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He says investigations overseen by Ntlemeza will continue.
“Cases General Ntlemeza undertook are not suspended. The law is not suspended. Those who take over will review as a collective and continue to fight corruption and crime. The Hawks must not be viewed as the unit that undertakes a mission under some political influence. Their mandate is very important and the leadership of the Hawks understands this,” says Mbalula.
Meanwhile, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed it will investigate allegations of defeating the ends of justice and corruption against Ntlemeza.
The allegations were brought by the City of Johannesburg’s mayor, Herman Mashaba.