Johannesburg - The head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Maj-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, is disappointed about his suspension and still deciding on the way forward, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
“We are studying the letter that was handed to him yesterday. At the moment, we do not hold instruction of the route he is going to take,” Victor Nkhwashu said.
“He is both disappointed and might I use the word distressed in the sense that he feels that his representation, which shows his innocence, was not taken into account when the decision was taken to suspend him.”
Nkhwashu said he would meet Sibiya later on Wednesday to discuss his options.
On Tuesday night, the Hawks confirmed Sibiya's suspension.
“I can confirm that he has been suspended. Unfortunately we can't go into the details because it is an internal matter,” spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said at the time.
“But I can confirm that he was suspended earlier today with full pay.”
Mulaudzi said the suspension would last as long as the investigation took and said the Hawks would ensure all processes were followed.
“The investigation will not be compromised. We will ensure that all the processes are followed without prejudicing anyone.”
Nkhwashu confirmed the suspension was related to Sibiya's alleged involvement in facilitating the illegal rendition of Zimbabweans in November 2010.
This was the second time Sibiya was handed a notice of suspension. An application to get reasons behind Sibiya's first notice of suspension was struck from the roll of the Labour Court in Johannesburg last week Wednesday. He handed in reasons to why he should not be suspended and the notice was subsequently withdrawn.
Sapa