KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has praised the station commander of uThongathi police station for refusing R12,600 bribe from criminal suspects and urged other officers to follow his example.

Mkhwanazi was addressing more than 1,500 newly deployed police constables on Tuesday, December 23, during a festive season operations oversight visit in KwaZulu-Natal led by acting police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia. 

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and other senior officers also attended.

The visit assessed police readiness and crime-prevention measures during the peak holiday period, with thousands of officers deployed across the province to maintain law and order.

Mkhwanazi said the station commander was presented with money in his face, but refused to accept it. 

Instead, he added an additional charge to the suspect’s charge sheet and proceeded with the arrest.

He acknowledged that some police officers had damaged the image of the service but said he was encouraged that many remained committed to their oath.

He was referring to an incident involving the acting commander of uThongathi police station, Colonel Nicholas Mfeka, who allegedly refused a bribe from suspects found in possession of an illegal firearm.

“Although a few have been found on the wrong side of the law, including driving under the influence and being arrested at roadblocks by their own colleagues, there are officers who continue to do the right thing.”

He said the suspects had been arrested on December 20 for possession of an AK assault rifle.

“This station commander did not accept the bribe that was offered to him,” Mkhwanazi said. 

“Instead, he opened an additional case to ensure the suspects faced further charges for attempting to bribe a police officer.”

Mkhwanazi praised the commander’s conduct and called on other officers to learn from his example.

“It is police officers like this that we commend and want in this organisation,” he said. 

“A station commander who leads by example teaches every officer at that station to be upright, to protect lives and to enforce the law.”

He said such officers were what communities, the executive authority and government expected from the police service.

The remarks come after police in Upper Tugela arrested two suspects, aged 36 and 39, for bribery and corruption on Saturday.

According to a police statement, a caller contacted the Upper Tugela station commander earlier that morning and requested a meeting regarding a family member who had been arrested during an operation the previous night.

The relative had allegedly been found in possession of an AK-47 assault rifle and 13 rounds of ammunition. 

The caller hinted at offering money to secure the suspect’s release.

The station commander agreed to meet the caller at KwaDukuza Crossing but deployed officers nearby due to the nature of the meeting.

When the station commander met the caller, who was accompanied by another person, the two allegedly handed over R12,600 in an attempt to secure the release of the suspect. 

Officers immediately intervened and arrested both individuals.

They were taken to Upper Tugela police station and charged with bribery and corruption.

IOL News

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