A sign outside the Umhlali Police Station, reading “Sponsored by the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association,” has been removed following public concern and media inquiries.

The sign, which recently appeared at the station’s entrance, sparked confusion and ethical questions from residents – some even speculating it was an April Fool’s joke. Many questioned what had been sponsored, and whether such an association presented a conflict of interest.

Following queries from the Courier, the sign was promptly taken down.

“The police are not sponsored by any taxi association, and the taxi association mentioned in your query does not sponsor the police in any way,” said iLembe Saps spokesperson, captain Alex Thomson.

South African public service entities are subject to strict regulations regarding funding and sponsorship to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure impartiality. Any sponsorship arrangements would need to comply with broader public service regulations and be approved by relevant authorities to ensure transparency and accountability.

Thomson explained that it was the erection of the sign that had been sponsored, not the police station.

“There was a need to have a directional sign up, in order to direct residents to where the police station is,” he said.

“The matter was brought up at a community meeting and the taxi association volunteered to put up the sign at no cost to the taxpayers, and the only oversight was that the sign was put up with an additional ‘sponsored by’ sign which goes against the policies of the South African Police Service.”

“As a self-correcting organisation, the ‘sponsored by’ sign has been removed to ensure that community members do not mistakenly believe the police were or are being sponsored by a taxi association.”

The KZN Department of Transport and Dolphin Coast Taxi Association did not respond to requests for comment.

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