The Hawks have accused the ANC’s Amathole regional secretary Teris Ntutu of interfering in their investigations and warned he could find himself in legal hot water.
Provincial Hawks head Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya said they would not be intimidated by anyone. The warning comes after the investigating unit refused to accept a petition from the ANC regional leadership on Monday.
“I wish to indicate that Hawks will never be intimidated by anybody and if that happens, consequences within the ambit of the law shall follow,” said Nogwanya.
The Hawks are currently investigating a R6-million fraud case that saw the arrest of Amathole district municipality (ADM) mayor Nomasikizi Khonza and Nkonkobe municipality ward councillor Nanziwe Rulashe and others.
After the arrests, the ANC in the region questioned the timing of the Hawks action as it happened shortly after an ANC list conference held in Fort Cox.
Immediately after the arrest, the ADM council released a statement saying they supported Khonza and the allegations against her were yet to be tested in a court of law.
Khonza also issued a statement, saying the arrest was 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 CEO Khanyile Maneli, alleging the Hawks were “being used”.
“I serve as a loyal member of the ANC. We are aware of plans to further harass Amathole leaders by Hawks intervention. Such capture of the state machinery can under no circumstances be allowed or be tolerated.”
Nogwanya said the cases against the accused had been thoroughly investigated and necessary warrants of arrests applied and issued accordingly by the authorities.
“The conduct of the Amathole district ANC regional secretary seeks to indirectly interfere with the investigation and/or witnesses.
“This office will consult the prosecution on the way forward as to what to do as there seems to be violation of bail conditions or interference with witnesses,” said Nogwanya.
Ntutu’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi said Ntutu was a secretary of the ANC in the region and whatever he did was a mandate from the ANC, not from him as an individual.
“You can’t single him out. As much as he respects the law, these arrests must not have any suspicions of political interference.”
Nogwanya said the Hawks were not working for anybody or getting instructions from certain politicians.
Ntutu warned by Hawks not to interfere with probe
Provincial Hawks head Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya said they would not be intimidated by anyone. The warning comes after the investigating unit refused to accept a petition from the ANC regional leadership on Monday.
“I wish to indicate that Hawks will never be intimidated by anybody and if that happens, consequences within the ambit of the law shall follow,” said Nogwanya.
The Hawks are currently investigating a R6-million fraud case that saw the arrest of Amathole district municipality (ADM) mayor Nomasikizi Khonza and Nkonkobe municipality ward councillor Nanziwe Rulashe and others.
After the arrests, the ANC in the region questioned the timing of the Hawks action as it happened shortly after an ANC list conference held in Fort Cox.
Immediately after the arrest, the ADM council released a statement saying they supported Khonza and the allegations against her were yet to be tested in a court of law.
Khonza also issued a statement, saying the arrest was 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 CEO Khanyile Maneli, alleging the Hawks were “being used”.
“I serve as a loyal member of the ANC. We are aware of plans to further harass Amathole leaders by Hawks intervention. Such capture of the state machinery can under no circumstances be allowed or be tolerated.”
Nogwanya said the cases against the accused had been thoroughly investigated and necessary warrants of arrests applied and issued accordingly by the authorities.
“The conduct of the Amathole district ANC regional secretary seeks to indirectly interfere with the investigation and/or witnesses.
“This office will consult the prosecution on the way forward as to what to do as there seems to be violation of bail conditions or interference with witnesses,” said Nogwanya.
Ntutu’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi said Ntutu was a secretary of the ANC in the region and whatever he did was a mandate from the ANC, not from him as an individual.
“You can’t single him out. As much as he respects the law, these arrests must not have any suspicions of political interference.”
Nogwanya said the Hawks were not working for anybody or getting instructions from certain politicians.
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