Johannesburg -
Maj-Gen Berning Ntlemeza will be acting head of the Hawks following the suspension of Anwa Dramat, the police ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
“Yes he (Dramat) has been suspended pending further investigations into the Zimbabwean rendition,” said spokesman Musa Zondi.
“Maj-Gen Berning Ntlemeza will act in the meantime.”
The Star reported that Dramat was suspended pending a probe into his alleged involvement in facilitating the illegal rendition of Zimbabweans in November 2010.
Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko took a decision to suspend Dramat on Tuesday
He had been placed on a precautionary suspension for 60 days. After that period the ministry would decide whether he would be charged.
He had been informed by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) last year that it was investigating criminal charges against him relating to the allegations.
It was reported that numerous rendition survivors had stepped forward and accused Dramat of being involved in the apprehension and deportation of Zimbabwe's most wanted criminals.
Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said the allegations were investigated and Ipid handed over its report to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) earlier this year. It was still waiting for the NPA's findings. - Sapa