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IPID to probe 'serious' criminal allegations against Berning Ntlemeza

L/R acting police commissioner Gen Khomotso Phahlane and Hawks boss Gen Berning Ntlemeza in parliament for the HAWKS budget presentation to parliament, Cape Town. Pic: Trevor Samson. © Business Day
L/R acting police commissioner Gen Khomotso Phahlane and Hawks boss Gen Berning Ntlemeza in parliament for the HAWKS budget presentation to parliament, Cape Town. Pic: Trevor Samson. © Business Day

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed that it will investigate allegations of defeating the ends of justice and corruption against embattled Hawks “boss” Berning Ntlemeza.

The allegations are based on a formal complaint lodged by City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba on Tuesday.

“It is alleged that the head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)‚ Lt General Mthandazo Ntlemeza‚ gave instructions that serious cases of corruption reported to the DPCI by the City of Joburg not be investigated‚” said Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini on Wednesday evening.

“The allegations against Gen Ntlemeza are serious and range from defeating the ends of justice to corruption. Such serious allegations warrant investigation.”

Dlamini added: “A team is being assembled to initiate the relevant investigation. No time frame is set for the completion of the investigation.”

Ntlemeza was effectively relieved of his position as head of the Hawks on Wednesday after his earlier dismissal was enforced by the Pretoria High Court.

Times Media reported on Tuesday that several cases submitted by the city to the Hawks for investigation had mysteriously stalled. One of the cases involves fraud and corruption implicating 105 city officials and losses to the city amounting to R14.7 million.

Mashaba accused Ntlemeza of allegedly interfering with investigations reported by the city to the Hawks.

The interference included “an instruction made to all members involved in such investigations to no longer pursue such cases‚ nor arrest suspects. Further‚ threats of surveillance and monitoring were made against members who investigate our matters.”

 

 

 

 

 

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