A policeman was not forced to resign because he was a sangoma, but left voluntarily, North West police said on Tuesday
“We have conducted our investigation regarding Itumeleng Tladi and his resignation. We would like to categorically deny all allegations made against the police,” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.
Tladi told the Daily Sun newspaper on Tuesday that he was fired because he did not disclose that he was a sangoma.
He also claimed that he worked for a year without any pay and that his calling to be an sangoma had not interfered with his police work.
Tladi's wife of four years reportedly divorced him because he had no income.
Ngubane said Tladi had claimed to have been victimised and pushed into resigning because he was a sangoma.
These allegations were malicious and seriously harmed the image of the SA Police Service, he said.
“Tladi was never forced to resign. The police are in possession of his resignation letter,” said Ngubane.
He claimed that Tladi left work and went to sangoma school for six months, without telling his commander or his employer. His salary was suspended for six months as leave without pay.
Ngubane said that although he was warned not to commit a similar offence again, he did so several times. He said he would make enough money to sustain himself as a sangoma.
“It is our understanding that Mr Tladi may be regretting his decision to leave work,” he said. - Sapa