IPID to probe 'serious' criminal allegations against Berning Ntlemeza

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.”

• BREAKING: Court orders Hawk head Berning Ntlemeza's firingEmbattled Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza has been fired with immediate effect. His dismissal was enforced by the Pretoria High Court just hours ago.

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.

TimesLIVE 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.

• Ntlemeza to fight damning court judgmentDisgraced Hawks boss Berning Ntlemeza will on Wednesday fight to set aside a Pretoria High Court judgment‚ which effectively kicked him out of his job.

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.”