SCA dismisses Berning Ntlemeza's appeal
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein has dismissed former Hawks head Berning Ntlemeza's appeal to be allowed to go back to work pending his bid to be reinstated.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has welcomed the ruling by the SCA saying the law is straightforward.
"I am ready to move ahead in a very short space of time to employ a new head of the Hawks," Mbalula says.
He also adds that he is planning to fill all the vacancies within the South African Police Service as a matter of urgency to "strenghten the force".
Ntlemeza approached the Supreme Court of Appeal in a last effort to overturn the decision to remove him from the post.
He approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria last month after several failed attempts to get an urgent interdict against Police Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Ntlemeza was hoping he would be able to return to work during the appeal process, but failed.
Ntlemeza has been involved in a string of court cases over the past two years, following the ruling that his appointment was irregular and illegal.