The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has condemned the use of a public order policing vehicle and manpower at a matric farewell in Newcastle. Over this weekend a video of the matric farewell was brought to the attention of the Acting Provincial Commissioner, where police officers dressed in riot gear could be seen escorting pupils to the matric farewell. The Acting Provincial, Commissioner has instructed the Head of Public Order Police in KwaZulu-Natal to investigate the incident in earnest.

I am deeply disturbed by what I observed. I have instructed that these police officials that appear in that video be investigated in terms of our disciplinary regulations as their conduct is not in line with our code of conduct and the objectives of the SAPS as per the constitution of this country. I am in agreement with the majority of citizens who voiced their concern on social media, that our resources could have been put to better use, he said.

Source: South African Police Service