A senior police investigator holding the rank of inspector is alleged to have misused a government vehicle, got involved in an accident while off duty and attempted to conceal the incident by privately repairing the damaged car.
Information gathered through independent investigations indicate that the Hlatikulu based officer, described by colleagues as the most senior among investigators at his station, allegedly took a government-issued vehicle approximately two weeks ago and used it for personal errands, including a night out drinking.
It was alleged that during this period, the vehicle was involved in an accident. Instead of reporting the incident through official channels as required for government vehicles, the officer is said to have arranged for the car to be taken to a mechanic in the Shiselweni region; reportedly of Mozambican origin, where it was fixed.
The alleged private repair, according to sources, was intended to conceal both the accident and the unauthorised use of the vehicle.
Such actions, could amount to an attempt to defeat the ends of justice, particularly where State property and official procedures are involved.
Multiple officers at the same station said concerns were first raised when the vehicle could not be accounted for the day after it had reportedly been taken. The car, which is typically used for operational duties, was said to be missing at a time when it was needed.
“Some of us questioned its whereabouts because it is not a vehicle that just disappears without explanation. It later resurfaced days after, but by then suspicions had already been raised,” said one officer, speaking on condition of anonymity. Despite the circumstances surrounding its disappearance and return, the vehicle is reportedly still in use at the station.
However, insiders argue that it effectively constitutes evidence in a potential internal and possibly criminal investigation.
“It is concerning that the same vehicle continues to be used as if nothing happened, yet it is central to the allegations being looked into,” said another source in a senior position.
Further information suggests that the matter was escalated to the police headquarters by senior officers at the station. While it is understood that internal processes were triggered, the exact nature and outcome of those processes remain unclear.
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When contacted for comment, the inspector initially denied any knowledge of the incident.
However, when presented with detailed findings from the investigation, he declined to elaborate further and referred all questions to the police spokesperson’s office.
Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni confirmed that the matter had come to their attention but declined to provide detailed comment, citing that it was an internal administrative issue.
“It is an internal administrative issue that I am not at liberty to discuss with the media.
There is a matter of that nature, although the details in our possession differ from what you have and investigations are ongoing to establish the full facts and everyone involved,” she said.
The only issue is not the damaged vehicle but also how it was handled in regard to government property and adherence to established procedures governing State vehicles. Public service regulations and government fleet management policies generally require that any accident involving a State vehicle be formally reported.
The vehicle must typically be assessed through official channels, often involving government transport authorities or designated assessment bodies, before any repairs can be undertaken.
The procedures are designed to ensure accountability, proper documentation and transparency in the use of public resources.
Unauthorised repairs, particularly those conducted privately, risk undermining these safeguards and may be interpreted as attempts to obscure the true circumstances surrounding damage to State property.
It was said that failure to report such incidents, coupled with efforts to conceal evidence, could expose individuals to both disciplinary action and potential criminal liability, depending on the findings of an investigation.
