INKATHA Freedom Party (IFP) in the KZN Legislature believes low salaries could be a possible contributor to police-related corruption.
This comes after former Mandeni Police Station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Ziningi Zulu allegedly committed suicide.
Zulu was facing charges relating to the theft of R108 000 exhibit money, which was kept in her office as evidence.
She was expected to plead guilty in the Richards Bay Commercial Crime Court on Friday, 11 February. But the former station commander was found dead on the day. She apparently drank poison.
The IFP said this incident raised many questions. IFP KZN spokesman for community safety and liaison Blessed Gwala asked if police officers were tempted to get involved in criminal activities to supplement their salaries.
“Although the IFP is concerned about the possible repercussions of low salaries for police officers, it does not condone any form of theft or corruption,” said Gwala.
He said the IFP urged the government, in particular police management, to re-evaluate salaries paid to police officers.
“The IFP sends condolences to the family of Lieutenant-Colonel Zulu,” said Gwala.
Zulu’s matter was postponed to March for her lawyers to bring the death certificate. Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokeswoman Grace Langa confirmed the matter.
She said the matter was remanded for 4 March where Zulu’s lawyers are expected to present the death certificate.
