Ntlemeza forced into retirement and demoted
The suspended head of the Hawks Berning Ntlemeza has retired from the police service effective immediately.
Police minister Fikile Mbalula took the decision after Ntlemeza's appeal against his removal was dismissed.
Mbalula's spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga says: "General Ntlemeza has been released from his duties from the police due to his age."
Mhaga says the minister is guided by the South African Police Service Act which sets the retirement age at 60.
Ntlemeza's retirement is therefore with immediate effect.
He has also been demoted to Major-General - the rank he held at the age of 60 - before he was promoted to Lieutenant General.
A High Court ruling previously found Ntlemeza's appointment unlawful and invalid.
On 15 September, the appeal of the High Court judgment had been dismissed.
"Upon studying and interpretation of the court order, it is conclusive that General Ntlemeza appointment as the Head of [the Hawks] has been nullified and declared unlawful," Mbalula said in a statement.
"With this decision of the SCA [Supreme Court of Appeal], I am directing Saps to commence processing General Ntlemeza's retirement with immediate effect as if he had retired at the age of 60 but at a level of Major-General and not as a Lieutenant-General he was promoted to upon his now defunct appointment."