By Charmaine Ndlela
A KwaZulu-Natal police sergeant has been removed from election duty after allegedly arriving at a voting station in a vehicle displaying political party posters, just hours after provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warned officers against political bias on election day.
SAPS confirmed on Wednesday that the officer had been precautionarily removed from duty during the 2026 Local Government Elections, with possible internal disciplinary proceedings to follow.
The incident comes a day after Mkhwanazi explicitly warned officers deployed for the elections that they were “not politicians” or “party agents” and would face disciplinary action if they failed to remain impartial.
Addressing a police send-off parade at Hoy Park in Durban on Tuesday, Mkhwanazi said officers had a constitutional responsibility to remain politically neutral.
“I do not have to remind you that you are not politicians. You do not need to be reminded that you are not party agents, and that you do not support or favour any political party or independent candidate over the other.
“You are an impartial law enforcement officer who must treat all political parties equally and with respect,” he said.
Mkhwanazi also warned officers that political involvement beyond casting their own votes was unacceptable.
“If you do anything contrary to what is expected from you, we shall act accordingly and ensure that applicable disciplinary steps are taken.”
Less than a day later, the sergeant deployed to a voting station in the Mphithini area of Donnybrook had allegedly arrived in a vehicle displaying posters of an unidentified political party.
Police said voting at the station was continuing without disruption.
Acting KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Major General Phumelele Makoba said unprofessional conduct by police officers would not be tolerated.
“We reminded our officers of their responsibilities and how they must conduct themselves. Apart from internal disciplinary steps, we shall investigate contravention of any applicable Act so that we investigate the matter holistically and open criminal proceedings if investigations direct us to do”, Makoba said.
During Tuesday’s parade, Mkhwanazi had also instructed officers who believed they could not remain impartial not to take up their election duties.
“If you feel that you are conflicted, and that you are not fit for the task ahead, do not take up your post because once you take up your position, we expect you to be a true law enforcement officer.”
In a separate election-day incident, police arrested a suspect for allegedly assaulting officers at a voting station in M Section, Umlazi, on Wednesday morning.
According to SAPS, the suspect arrived at the station while drinking and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
He allegedly assaulted officers who attempted to contain his behaviour.
The suspect was arrested for assault, while additional charges relating to possible contraventions of the Electoral Act could follow.
Meanwhile, three SAPS K9 Unit officers sustained minor injuries when their vehicle collided with two cattle while travelling to a voting station in the Ibisi policing precinct.
Police confirmed that all three officers had been discharged from hospital and declared fit to resume their duties.
INSIDE POLITICS
