Lawyers for Hawks KZN head Senona looking into his ‘unlawful’ removal from office

Lawyers representing KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Maj-Gen Lesetja Senona say they are still trying to establish the facts surrounding what they called his unlawful removal from his office on Saturday. Senona’s attorney Rudolph Baloyi told TimesLIVE on Sunday that Senona and his secretary were allegedly removed from his office and his laptop was confiscated by an SAPS officer whose name is known to TimesLIVE. “The officer told him that they have been instructed by Gen [Nhlanhla] Mkhwanazi [KZN police commissioner] that they must remove him from office, take his office keys and laptop.

Gen Senona was then escorted out of his office and the building, then followed home,” Baloyi said. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said police would issue a statement later but did not want a “to-and-fro situation” while there were commissions of inquiry going on. According to Baloyi, when Senona arrived home, there were numerous police and unmarked vehicles outside, which made him feel that his safety was compromised, as he was allegedly followed for reasons unknown to him.

Baloyi maintained that even if Senona is under investigation, only his employer can suspend him from his official duties. “We then contacted the acting head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) yesterday and they said they are not aware of what happened. So this whole thing is unlawful because it’s only the employer (DPCI) that can take action against Gen Senona [in terms of suspending him],” Baloyi said.

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He said they were still trying to determine exactly what transpired with regards to Senona’s removal and to seek recourse. Last week, Senona was among five police officers fingered in the Madlanga commission’s preliminary report. In a statement, the presidency said it welcomed the recommendation of criminal investigations, and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and suspension of individuals.

Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo said on Sunday Senona remains the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal. “The DPCI is not in anyway involved in Maj-Gen Senona being kicked out of the building — this should be taken up with the office of Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi,” she said.

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