Minister Nathi Nhleko appoints Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza as Head of Hawks
10 September 2015
Police Minister Mr Nathi Nhleko today named Acting Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Maj General Berning Mthandazo Ntlemeza as the new head of the unit with immediate effect.
Gen Ntlemeza, who has been acting in this position since December 2014 following the suspension and eventual resignation of General Anwa Dramat, is a career policeman who joined the service in 1981 in the then Transkei. During this period, the Hawks have stabilised and have scored major success in fighting priority crimes ranging from rhino poaching to police murders to the uncovering of drug laboratories and in fighting police corruption.
“It is my pleasure to announce this appointment today. Time and again, we have been faulted for not appointing career policemen and women into strategic positions. I have no doubt that Gen Ntlemeza will continue the good work that the Hawks have become famous for and help government in fighting serious organised crime and corruption.
“We wish General Ntlemeza the best in his position and call on all South Africans to support police in general in and particularly in helping fight crime and corruption and the spate of police killings,” said Nhleko.