KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi today (15 August) warned newly qualified police officers not to be lured by the temptations of corruption.
He was addressing a Passing Out Parade for 145 new police constables who were welcomed into the SAPS (South African Police Services) fold.
The new graduates, 109 of whom are women and 36 men, completed a six month Police Development Learning Programme. The new recruits were trained at the SAPS Academy in Ulundi.
Mkhwanazi issues a stern warning to constables
Image supplied
Image supplied
Delivering the keynote address, Mkhwanazi urged the newly ranked constables not to commit acts of lawlessness, including corruption.
He also cautioned graduates not to succumb to criminals wanting to befriend police officers in return for `protection’ against the law.
“Some will be happy for you to a point of offering bribes, which they will refer to as cold drink, do not accept such. Love your country, respect the people you serve and respect the oath of office you took when you joined the police,’ said Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi pointed out that protecting the lives of South Africa’s citizens and themselves should be their (new recruit’s) priority.
In July this year, Mkhwanazi who was accused of corruption, himself, made startling allegations of corruption within the police services. President Cyril Ramaphosa instituted the Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System following the explosive allegations.
Meanwhile, the IOL reported in July that female applicants for police force vacancies supercede that of their male counterparts. Over half a million females applied for vacancies within the SAPS when the entity advertised 5500 police vacancies in June this year. SAPS reportedly received over 400 000 applications from men.
What are your views on police commissioner, Mkhwanazi’s message to new recruits?
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