Concerning Party Politics, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Slams Constable with Whip A constable has been accused of openly identifying himself with party politics, prompting Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of the Durban – KwaZulu-Natal Police to take urgent action. This has sparked controversy once again about the impartiality of South African law enforcement.
No information about the constable’s identity has been made public. However, he or she was recently seen wearing party regalia in public, which is a clear violation of the code of conduct for officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The suspension of the officer is pending the conclusion of an internal disciplinary investigation, which Mkhwanazi confirmed.
He warned that the South African Police Service (SAPS) cannot afford to become involved in political conflicts and emphasized that such behavior damages the integrity and objectivity of the police. It is the Republic, not political parties, that police personnel serve. Mkhwanazi made it clear that he will not stand for any breach of public trust that deviates from this concept.
The commissioner’s hard line is coming at a time when rival parties in KwaZulu-Natal are fighting for control in the lead-up to the next elections. The incident, according to analysts, shows how critical it is to protect public institutions from political interference. In a statement, civil society organizations expressed their gratitude for Mkhwanazi’s intervention, emphasizing the need of a disciplined SAPS in upholding public trust and order.
But there are plenty who think the police should do more to teach officers to remain politically neutral, and who think that suspensions aren’t enough. Loss of employment or other disciplinary action against the policeman is likely to be decided upon by the disciplinary procedure. As things stand, Mkhwanazi’s prompt action makes it very obvious that the SAPS will not become involved in political issues and that officers who do so will face severe repercussions.