Hawks boss criticised by SCOPA for being unprepared

Hawks boss criticised by SCOPA for being unprepared

The country's top anti-crime units were heavily criticised in Parliament on Wednesday.

Berning Ntlemeza_youtube
Photo: YouTube

Hawks boss, General Berning Ntlemeza led a huge delegation from various crime fighting departments, but members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) reacted with anger when Ntlemeza couldn't answer basic questions regarding the meetings of the anti-corruption task team.


Ntlemeza reacted by saying this was his first appearance before Parliament as chairperson of the task team and he didn't know what was needed of him.


"The letter I received from this House, I complied, but I could see that I am lacking some. We are graduating now as this structure, so I think the people of South Africa will understand we are heading in a good direction now," Ntlemeza said.


The ANC's Shedrack Booi told Ntlemeza that they take corruption very seriously and questioned why top meetings were not attended by all departments.


"This is not how public servants are supposed to be conducting themselves. When you come to Parliament, every detail is supposed to be in your hands. You are supposed to know what is going on. It can't be us who do not know where State Security is and we are told where it is until we start enquiring," Booi said.


The Anti-Corruption Task Team's success rate was also questioned by members of the committee.


Amid confusing figures around the number of successful cases, committee members said a less than 30% success rate was not good enough.


SCOPA chairperson, Themba Godi concluded by saying the committee was not happy.


"It gives the impression that maybe this thing is not serious, after all, which will be very unfortunate," Godi said.

Show's Stories