Ntlemeza was urging the police committee in Parliament to help the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) gain independence from the police service.

The Hawks were presenting their budget to the committee, when they were questioned by DA MP, Zakhele Mbhele, about their independence and "hit squad-like" methods.

Ntlemeza said the people of South Africa wanted the Hawks unit to do its work.

"The Hawks are not being controlled, I am independent. We try by all means not to be controlled by politicians or anyone," he said.

He said the Hawks were making serious attempts to move away from the activities of the long-disbanded Scorpions unit.

"Hence, even in terms of the operations, it is so professional. We are hitting, and hitting, and hitting and hitting," he said.

They were hitting important people regardless of their standing, he said.

"The DPCI is trying to protect this independence. We are pushing that the country must see us as independent," he said.

Ntlemeza called for the Hawks to be made independent of the SAPS detective services programme, so they would have their own separate budget.

The Hawks have been in the spotlight lately due to their ongoing public battle with Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.

This was regarding the alleged SA Revenue Services (Sars) "rogue" unit.

- News24.com