Yolisa Matakata named as new acting Hawks boss

As far as police minister Fikile Mbalula is concerned disgraced Hawks boss‚ Berning Ntlemeza‚ no longer has a job and needs to hand over all his state property.

That's to ensure his replacement‚ Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata‚ can get on with the job at hand - fighting corruption and serious economic crime.

The Pretoria High Court on Wednesday ordered that last month's high court order - that Ntlemeza's appointment be reviewed - be upheld. The minister‚ in no uncertain terms‚ made it clear this morning that there was no place for Ntlemeza.

"Have I met him? Twice in person and once over the phone. When I chatted to him last [via telephone] I told him we were withdrawing from supporting his appeal.

"I told him that it was not malicious‚ but rather that it was fruitless to carry on with this course and going to court for the sake of it. It was because we did not want to pursue an unwinnable case."

Mbalula said he had met with senior police and Hawks management earlier on Thursday to inform them of his decision to appoint Matakata in Ntlemeza's position.

"We are here only because of yesterday's outcome. We are giving effect to the court order. We have to‚ we have no choice." Asked whether Ntlemeza would remain in the police‚ Mbalula said it was up to him [Ntlemeza].

"If he takes early retirement we will discuss. Whether he decides to challenge the court order is up to him. "But‚ what I can say is that of March 17‚ he is out of the system."

He said he was acting in the best interests of society and guarding against wasteful expenditure on unwinnable court cases.

Mbalula‚ asked about corruption cases not making it to court‚ said he was unhappy.

He was responding to questions after Johannesburg mayor‚ Herman Mashaba‚ this week announced that he had approached the Independent Police Investigative Directorate over allegations that Ntlemeza had blocked corruption investigations into the city.

"I have had a handover from Ntlemezea. What I can say is that I am not happy that many corruption cases are not finding their way into the courts.

"Sexy cases like the [Pravin] Gordhan matter find their way [into court] but not the other big cases where big criminals‚ where there is evidence of wrongdoing‚ are running amok."

He said in terms of the Mashaba complaint the Directorate must continue with its investigation.

"At the same time I will ask Matakata to relook at those corruption matters and‚ if there is solid evidence‚ that arrests are effected." Mbalula said they would now sit down with Hawks leadership to convey to them that cases where there was "solid" evidence‚ must be brought to court and prosecuted.

"I am yet to see serious economic criminals being brought to book. We need to act decisively and we need to act now to stop the loss of billions of rands from the economy.

"No one will be spared‚ regardless of their political affiliation."

He said to ensure Matakata could get on with her job‚ he had directed acting national police commissioner‚ Khomotso Phahlane‚ to ensure that Ntlemeza hand over all his State property "with immediate effect".

"Whether that will be complied with is another matter. What I can say is if it is not complied with steps will be taken.

"This is not about fighting. There are no needs for fighting and we are not fighting with anyone. This is about ensuring that we achieve our mandate - the protection of all South Africans."