A video of a group of KwaZulu-Natal police officers using a state vehicle to transport a colleague’s child to a matric dance went viral, leading to public outrage and disciplinary action.
Widely shared online, the footage shows uniformed officers chauffeuring a learner to her glamorous matric farewell in Estcourt.
Instead of patrolling crime-ridden streets or attending to emergency calls, the cops turned a state-issued van into a luxury escort vehicle.
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, promptly took action against the officers, announcing their immediate suspension from their operational duties.
“We cannot afford police officers who report for duty but use state resources for personal gain,” Mkhwanazi fumed.
He has also ordered the Uthukela district commissioner to fast-track disciplinary proceedings and instructed finance officials to calculate the exact financial loss to the state, including fuel, vehicle wear and tear, and wasted business hours.
“Those members will be held accountable for every cent,” he vowed.
The scandal has triggered anger across the province, where communities already complain of slow police response times and a shortage of patrol vans.
Disrespect to law-abiding citizens
Critics argue that the officers’ actions, given the high crime rates, are disrespectful to law-abiding citizens.
On social media, users ridiculed the stunt, with one post reading: “Police vans for matric dances? What’s next, blue lights for birthday parties?”
The South African Police Service code of conduct strictly prohibits the use of official resources for personal business. Offending members could face suspension, dismissal, or even criminal charges.
Mkhwanazi, known for his tough stance on corruption and misconduct, said the incident tarnishes the image of the police. “Limited state resources are for serving communities, not gallivanting,” he said.
While some Estcourt residents dismissed the joyride as a harmless favour, others slammed it as an abuse of power that eroded public trust.
An internal investigation is now underway to determine whether the stunt was a one-off lapse in judgement or part of a wider culture of misconduct within the police ranks.