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Axed Hawks boss, Berning Ntlemeza is refusing to back down after he was fired by the Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula.

Ntlemeza's lawyer, Comfort Ngidi said his client is still head of the Hawks according to law.

Head of Justice and Governance at the Institute for Security Studies, Gareth Newham says the appointment of Ntlemeza has tainted the image of the Hawks.

He says the real damage to the image of the Hawks was when the previous minister of police, Nathi Nhleko, appointed Ntlemeza despite two court orders saying that he was a dishonest person.

Read: Ntlemeza is still head of the Hawks according to his lawyer

This highlights the fact that the person leading the Hawks has to be a man or woman with impeccable integrity, have necessary skills and qualifications to lead that important agency.

— Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Governance at the Institute for Security Studies

Newham says Ntlemaeza is going to do further damage to the public credibility of the Hawks by not letting go of his job even though a High Court order said he must vacate the office immediately.

He says the job of the investigative officer at the Hawks becomes difficult when their boss is a dishonest man.

This means many people might not trust them and won't give them information.

— Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Governance at the Institute for Security Studies

If they had a good leader they'll be far more motivated, the morale will be high and they will get the public support that they need.

— Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Governance at the Institute for Security Studies

To hear more from Gareth Newham, listen below:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : "Ntlemeza is damaging Hawk's public credibility and trust"