KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, was seen donning overalls and wielding a paintbrush in Isipingo on Thursday, joining the Department of Public Works to paint the South African Police Service (SAPS) Vehicle Pound offices.

The collaborative initiative, part of a broader infrastructure improvement programme, aims to rejuvenate SAPS facilities while fostering a sense of shared responsibility between the police and the communities they serve.

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, flanked by senior officers and members of the Public Works Department, wasted no time rolling up his sleeves and getting to work — literally. The commissioner was actively involved in painting, symbolising a leadership style rooted in visibility and hands-on participation.

“This is more than just painting walls,” Mkhwanazi told reporters on the ground. “It’s about restoring dignity to our facilities, boosting morale among officers, and sending a clear message that we care about the environments in which our members work and where our communities engage with us.”

The SAPS Vehicle Pound in Isipingo, which stores impounded and accident-damaged vehicles, has been in dire need of refurbishment. With chipped paint, weathered surfaces, and dilapidated office spaces, the building had become an eyesore and was not reflective of the professional image SAPS aims to uphold.