Police Minister Nathi Nhleko's application for leave to appeal the overturning of Hawks boss Anwa Dramat's suspension was dismissed by the High Court in Pretoria on Friday.

"Leave to appeal is dismissed. It is ordered that the main order of January 23 shall operate and be executed in full," Judge Bill Prinsloo said.

Nhleko was ordered to pay the costs of the Helen Suzman Foundation, which brought the application for Dramat's reinstatement.

Dramat was set to return to work two weeks ago, after Prinsloo ruled that his suspension by Nhleko was unlawful and invalid.

Prinsloo also ruled that Nhleko's decision to appoint Maj-Gen Berning Ntlemeza as acting national Hawks head was unlawful and invalid.

Nhleko believed another court would reach a different decision.

The police ministry submitted that Dramat would not be not allowed to return to work until the appeal process was completed.

Dramat was suspended on December 23, pending a probe into his alleged involvement in the illegal rendition of four Zimbabweans in November 2010.