Cop spokesman resigns over invalid matric certificate

A KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman has resigned amid allegations that he had an invalid matric certificate, the SA Police Service (SAPS) said on Thursday.

Colonel Jay Naicker said the allegations against Colonel Vincent Mdunge surfaced when the criminal and academic records of SAPS employees were checked.

“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,” he said.

An investigation began.

“Following a thorough investigation the provincial commissioner [Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni] took a decision to institute disciplinary charges against the member.   “The member has since placed notice with the commissioner to resign from the SAPS and his resignation was accepted,” said Naicker.

Ngobeni said she was “shaken” by the allegations that were levelled against Mdunge.

“Whilst 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,” she said.  

“The fact that [he] has chosen to resign from the SAPS is respected.”  Mdunge’s resignation comes several weeks after national police commissioner Riah Phiyega appointed Maj-Gen Bethuel Zuma as the new provincial commissioner of Gauteng, but withdrew him from the position several hours later after it was revealed that he had pending criminal charges.

Zuma, who is not related to President Jacob Zuma, faces charges of failing to stop when ordered to, drunk driving, attempting to escape from custody, and defeating the ends of justice.