Pretoria – Friday’s court ruling that effectively keeps Hawks boss Anwa Dramat in his job is a victory for the rule of law, the Helen SuzmanFoundation (HSF) said.
“The judge’s order is very incisive and we’re pleased to say this is a victory for the Constitution and for the rule of law and we are delighted that the HSF took this matter up. We feel vindicated by the judgment,” HSF director Francis Antonie said outside the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria.
In a judgment that took just a few minutes to deliver, Judge Bill Prinsloo dismissed Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s application to appeal the decision to overturn Dramat’s suspension.
He ruled that his 23 January order allowing Dramat to return to work remained in effect, irrespective of any other appeal that may be brought.
In that judgment, Prinsloo also ruled that Nhleko’s decision to appoint Major General Berning Ntlemeza as acting national Hawks head was unlawful and invalid.
Antonie said: “The constitutional integrity of the Hawks is now guaranteed. The minister has tested this in court on two occasions so far, and I think we should get on with the business of fighting corruption in this country.”
Nhleko was ordered to pay the HSF’s costs. It brought the application for Dramat’s reinstatement.
Dramat was set to return to work after the January 23 ruling, but the police ministry said he would not be allowed to do so until the appeals process was completed.
He was suspended on 23 December, pending a probe into his alleged involvement in the illegal rendition of four Zimbabweans in November 2010.
