KZN Officers Suspended After Using Police Van For Matric Dance Escort

Two KwaZulu-Natal police officers have been pulled from duty after they were filmed escorting a pupil to a matric dance in Estcourt using an official police vehicle. The video, which went viral on social media, sparked public outrage and prompted swift action from police leadership.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi confirmed that the officers had been “temporarily removed from operations” and would face a disciplinary inquiry. They have also been instructed to repay the state for the unauthorised use of resources.

“In doing so, the members neglected their primary responsibilities of providing much-needed police visibility, attending to complaints, and keeping residents safe and secured,” said Mkhwanazi.

‘Gallivanting With State Resources’

Mkhwanazi said he had directed the uThukela district commissioner to urgently implement disciplinary steps against the officers. He further ordered the police’s finance and supply chain units to calculate the financial losses incurred by the state, including fuel, time, and the running costs of the police van.

“State petrol, state time, and running cost of that vehicle should be claimed from those members,” Mkhwanazi stressed.

He also condemned the misuse of resources, highlighting community frustrations. “Communities always complain that when they call police stations they are told that there are no vans, while police officers are gallivanting with state resources that are meant to serve the communities,” he said.

Stern Warning to All Officers

The commissioner called for professionalism and accountability within the ranks, warning that such conduct would not be tolerated.

“The limited state resources should only be used for authorised official duties and 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,” said Mkhwanazi

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