Former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Johan Booysen says “all hell broke loose” within the crime-fighting unit when Berning Ntlemeza took over. Testifying at the state-capture inquiry on Friday, Booysen pulled no punches when he described various incidents in which he believed Ntlemeza’s conduct was questionable. Ntlemeza was appointed in an acting capacity at the Hawks in December 2014 after Anwa Dramat was suspended. “For lack of a better word, when [Ntlemeza] was appointed, all hell broke loose within the [Hawks]. I cannot describe it any other way,” Booysen told the inquiry. Booysen said he got a call from Ntlemeza on new year’s eve that year, days after he was appointed, and was summoned to the police’s provincial offices in Durban the next day.
“It was the first time in my police career that I had been summoned to a meeting on the morning of new year’s day … On my arrival I called to ask him where he was and he told me he was on the 17th floor with the provincial commissio...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.