Mkhwanazi orders temporary suspension of KZN officers who used police vehicle to transport learner to matric dance

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has instructed that officers who used a police vehicle to transport a learner to a matric dance be temporarily relieved of their duties.

This pending internal investigations into their conduct.

The pair were captured in viral video footage, showing a South African Police Service (SAPS) bakkie with blue lights on, dropping off the learner.

One of the officers can be seen outside the bakkie, carrying the police’s standard issue R5 rifle.

“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,” said police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda.

He said Mkhwanazi added that the officers must account for their actions.

"I have further instructed our finance and supply chain management officers to determine the financial loss that the state could have suffered by that unauthorised activity. State petrol, state time and running cost of that vehicle should be claimed from those members.

"Communities always complain that when they call police stations, they are told that there are no vans, whilst police officers are galivanting with state resources that are meant to serve the communities."