Bulelani Ngcuka: Only those with guilty conscience fear ‘Hollywood style arrests’

Ngcuka, who also headed up the now defunct Scorpions, believes its only criminals who should fear the spotlight when they are arrested. 

Ngcuka says the term ‘Hollywood style arrests’ was coined by former president Kgalema Motlanthe during his tenure, with this type of conduct by the Scorpions given as one of the reasons for the African National Congress’ (ANC) decision to close down the unit. 

The recent return of the public arrests has caused some consternation in political circles, with ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule warning the Hawks against acting irresponsibly.

But Ngcuka says in his opinion the Hollywood style arrests are a good thing, as it does not allow criminals the dignity to be hidden during arrests.

This, he believes, grows public confidence in the judicial system.

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“It’s a good thing. This thing about Hollywood arrests started during my time. 

“He (Motlanthe) certainty didn’t like the notion of people being paraded In public as they were being arrested. He took exception to it.

“My view was - and this has been endorse by the Supreme Court of Appeal - that in the country like South Africa where you have high levels of crime and the perception that those who complete crime get away it, that it is that you build public confidence in the criminal justice system.

“That people who commit these offences are arrested, prosecuted and punished,” Ngcuka explains.

He says the only people worried about public arrests should be those with a guilty conscience. 

“You ask yourself who is complaining, I will tell you. Behind those people is people who are scared themselves. It is people whose day of reckoning is coming.

“Whether or not Hawks will be disbanded will depend on the people of South Africa.“

Ngcuka is confident that the country’s law enforcement agencies have the power and the will to arrest high-ranking politicians who are found to be in the wrong.

“I believe so they have the ability and capacity to do so. I know them and they have worked with me in the past.

“I know how their ability. We couldn’t have chosen better.”