ANC Amathole regional secretary Teris Ntutu believes he is the victim of a political ploy that could see him being arrested at any time by the Hawks.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, the high-ranking ANC official flatly denied allegations that he had been arrested by the Hawks yesterday.
This followed rumours which swirled around yesterday morning that Ntutu had been nabbed by the unit.
He also claime
d the moves against him were driven by forces w
ho had been “spreading lies”.
“I am not arrested. Hawks must be allowed to do their work of fighting corruption and crime because they are a very important institution,” Ntutu said.
“Those who are spreading lies about me and Hawks must stop. There are people who are plotting to have me arrested, but their plans are not successful because there is nothing that I’ve done wrong.
“I serve as a loyal member of the ANC. We are aware of plans to further harass Amathole leaders by a Hawks’ intervention.
“Such capture of the state machinery can under no circumstances be allowed or be tolerated.”
Hawks provincial head Major-General Nyameko Noqwanya confirmed that Ntutu had not been arrested, nor was he the subject of an investigation.
“We don’t have a personal vendetta against Teris. However, anyone who stands in the way of the Hawks will be arrested without fear or favour,” Noqwanya said.
The Daily Dispatch was made aware of the arrest rumours after a text message was circulated stating that ANC regional executive committee members, including ADM municipal manager Chris Magwangqana, were being investigated by the Hawks.
This comes after the Hawks dramatically arrested Amathole District Municipality officials, including mayor Nomasiki Khonza, on charges of fraud. Prominent councillor Banziwe Rulashe was also among the seven arrested.
In the wake of the arrests, the ANC in the region questioned the timing of the Hawks’ action as it happened shortly after an ANC list conference held at Fort Cox.
Immediately after the arrest, the ADM council released a statement saying they supported Khonza and that the allegations against her were yet to be tested in a court of law.
Khonza also issued a statement, accusing the Hawks of carrying out a well-orchestrated “Hollywood-style” arrest with “media” and “supporters of the known force” behind the arrests.
Ntutu also issued a statement saying he had heard about his imminent arrest and that of Eastern Cape Liquor Board chief executive Khanyile Maneli, alleging the Hawks were “being used”.
In June, ANC regional leaders marched to the Hawks’ head offices in East London to deliver a petition in which they stated their belief that the arrests were politically motivated.
This led to the Hawks accusing Ntutu of interfering in their investigations and warning him that he could find himself in legal hot water. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
ANC leader claims the Hawks are being used to settle political scores
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, the high-ranking ANC official flatly denied allegations that he had been arrested by the Hawks yesterday.
This followed rumours which swirled around yesterday morning that Ntutu had been nabbed by the unit.
He also claime
d the moves against him were driven by forces w
ho had been “spreading lies”.
“I am not arrested. Hawks must be allowed to do their work of fighting corruption and crime because they are a very important institution,” Ntutu said.
“Those who are spreading lies about me and Hawks must stop. There are people who are plotting to have me arrested, but their plans are not successful because there is nothing that I’ve done wrong.
“I serve as a loyal member of the ANC. We are aware of plans to further harass Amathole leaders by a Hawks’ intervention.
“Such capture of the state machinery can under no circumstances be allowed or be tolerated.”
Hawks provincial head Major-General Nyameko Noqwanya confirmed that Ntutu had not been arrested, nor was he the subject of an investigation.
“We don’t have a personal vendetta against Teris. However, anyone who stands in the way of the Hawks will be arrested without fear or favour,” Noqwanya said.
The Daily Dispatch was made aware of the arrest rumours after a text message was circulated stating that ANC regional executive committee members, including ADM municipal manager Chris Magwangqana, were being investigated by the Hawks.
This comes after the Hawks dramatically arrested Amathole District Municipality officials, including mayor Nomasiki Khonza, on charges of fraud. Prominent councillor Banziwe Rulashe was also among the seven arrested.
In the wake of the arrests, the ANC in the region questioned the timing of the Hawks’ action as it happened shortly after an ANC list conference held at Fort Cox.
Immediately after the arrest, the ADM council released a statement saying they supported Khonza and that the allegations against her were yet to be tested in a court of law.
Khonza also issued a statement, accusing the Hawks of carrying out a well-orchestrated “Hollywood-style” arrest with “media” and “supporters of the known force” behind the arrests.
Ntutu also issued a statement saying he had heard about his imminent arrest and that of Eastern Cape Liquor Board chief executive Khanyile Maneli, alleging the Hawks were “being used”.
In June, ANC regional leaders marched to the Hawks’ head offices in East London to deliver a petition in which they stated their belief that the arrests were politically motivated.
This led to the Hawks accusing Ntutu of interfering in their investigations and warning him that he could find himself in legal hot water. — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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