The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal demands urgent suspension of SAPS Public Order Policing Unit members dressed in full riot gear members, allegedly escorted pupils at a Newcastle high school to their matric dance. A video of the incident went viral online over the weekend.
We condemn in no uncertain terms any misuse or abuse of state resources. Heads must roll in this matter. As the IFP we want to know who gave mandate to these officers to accompany these learners and on what grounds? Serious question must be asked and suitable answers must be provided. This issue deserves urgent attention from the KZN MEC of Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda who must institute his own investigation into this matter. If the SAPS management are against the abuse of state resources they must act without fear or favour against these officers.
Nevertheless, police officials should always behave in a professional manner. Every member of SAPS signed the SAPS Code of Conduct and failure by any member to abide by the Code of Conduct, could result in an investigation being launched for which the member could face departmental steps taken against that member.
The IFP demands that anyone found to be abusing state resources must be held accountable. Sometimes you will find police officers using state vehicles to do shopping or cars parked in the shebeens, or frequenting casinos, but nothing is done to curb this lawlessness at the taxpayers’ expense.
Citizens are fed up with seeing officers of the law blatantly abuse their power and taxpayers’ money. This abuse of state resources is not only unethical behaviour but also a misconduct.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala MPL,
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison
078 290 5842
