Urgent application filed to have Hawks boss Ntlemeza removed this week

Freedom Under Law media statement

The urgent application by Freedom Under Law (FUL) in cooperation with the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) to have Lieutenant General Berning Ntlemeza prevented from exercising his powers as national head of the Hawks, pending the outcome of a review of Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko's decision to appoint him, is due to be heard in Pretoria on Wednesday or Thursday this week. The review was launched last month simultaneously with the urgent proceedings.

FUL and the HSF say Ntlemeza's appointment was irrational and unlawful. Proper consideration could not have been given in the appointment process to damning court findings as to his integrity, honesty and fitness to hold public office.

FUL chair Judge Johann Kriegler says: "The findings made against Ntlemeza are so damning they should disqualify him from holding any public office. That he has been appointed head of the Hawks – our highest crime-fighting unit, charged with policing the most sensitive crimes – a position requiring scrupulous honesty, integrity and conscientiousness, strikes at the very heart of our criminal justice system."