The officers who escorted a learner to a matric dance in a police vehicle on the weekend in Estcourt have been suspended and will have to pay the price.
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the Provincial Commissioner of the KwaZulu-Natal police, ordered the suspension of the police officers on 28 August, while an internal misconduct investigation is underway. The officers have also been ordered to pay for their human resource blunder.
A video circulating on social media platforms showed the officers offering a colleague’s matric child a blue light escort to the dance at the Escourt High School. This move irked the public, who voiced their outrage on social media.“
Matric dance officers accused of negligence
A media statement from police in KwaZulu-Natal confirmed the officers’ temporary suspension from operations pending an internal investigation.
The statement indicated that the actions of the ‘matric dance’ officers showed negligence of their primary duties. Instead of providing visible policing, responding to public complaints, and keeping the public safe, the officers were using State resources for their personal use.
“I have instructed the District Commissioner of Uthukela to ensure that the immediate commander of the officers involved must take urgent disciplinary steps against them. We cannot afford to have police officers who report for duty but use State resources for their personal gain.
“I have further instructed our finance and supply chain management officers to determine the financial loss that the State suffered from the unauthorised activity. State petrol, state time, and running cost of that vehicle should be claimed from those members,” said Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi alluded to it being intolerable for police to go “gallivanting” with State resources that should be used to serve the communities.
The commissioner reiterated the need for police officials to exercise professionalism at all times. He said police needed to protect the image of the organisation.
He sent out a strong message to police officials abusing State resources meant for official duties.
“Anyone who is found to be misusing vehicles, stationery, or any State property will be met with the wrath of internal police disciplinary processes and a criminal charge which might even lead to dismissal,” added Mkhwanazi.
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