Top cop resigns following allegations of invalid qualification
One of the SAPS' provincial spokesmen has resigned following allegations that he had an invalid qualification.
THE KwaZulu-Natal SAPS’s provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, has expressed her shock at the allegation that Colonel Vincent Mdunge’s matric certificate is not valid.
“The SAPS places high value on integrity as our goal is to ensure that we fight crime with clean hands. We have just completed an audit on members who are in the employment of SAPS, but have criminal records,” said Colonel Jay Naicker, provincial spokesman.
Col Naicker added an instruction has been issued to make it compulsory for officers to regularly declare when they are facing criminal investigation.
“We are now busy with the verification of members’ academic qualifications. Members’ whose academic records differ from what they have declared to SAPS will be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary code and may be investigated criminally depending on the circumstances,” he added.
Col Naicker said during the verification of qualification process, allegations surfaced that the matric certificate of Colonel Vincent Mdunge, who is based in the provincial head quarters, was not valid.
The provincial commissioner immediately appointed a senior officer to investigate the allegations.
“Following a thorough investigation, the provincial commissioner took a decision to institute disciplinary charges against the member. He has since handed in notice with the provincial commissioner to resign from the SAPS and his resignation was accepted,” Col Naicker said.
“At this stage we cannot comment further on the investigation due to pending criminal investigation, which may follow,” he said.
Provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, who was shaken when the allegation first surfaced, has respected the decision taken by Col Mdunge.
“While I worked very closely with the member, and there was an element of trust and respect, I was filled with a deep sense of disbelief and disappointment when I learnt of the allegation. I however am duty bound to take action against any individual under my command should they make themselves guilty of misconduct. Therefore I ordered that the matter be investigated immediately and due process should follow. The fact that the member has chosen to resign from the SAPS is respected,” she said.
