WATCH | Blue light shame — KZN cops suspended for escorting learner to matric dance

Matric dance

Durban – Police officers in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, have been suspended from operational duties after a video surfaced showing them transporting a learner to a matric dance in an official police vehicle.

The officers, who were reportedly on duty at the time, used the state vehicle to escort the child of a colleague to the function. The incident sparked public outrage after the video went viral across media platforms and social media.

Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, confirmed on Thursday that disciplinary action is underway.

“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 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 galavanting with state resources that are meant to serve the communities,” said Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.

He added that the officers’ actions diverted them from their core responsibilities of maintaining visibility, responding to complaints, and ensuring community safety.

Mkhwanazi reminded police personnel to uphold professionalism and protect the integrity of the service, warning that any officer found misusing state property could face disciplinary action, criminal charges, and possible dismissal.

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