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SAPS VIP Protection Unit Officers Suspended Over Brutal Assault of Three Men on N1 in Joburg
Mashatile’s VIP Protection Unit has been suspended following the involvement of all eight police officers in the Joburg highway assault. According to allAfrica, the national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the suspensions on Monday evening, stating that the SAPS will not provide further details.
Last week, Deputy President Paul Mashatile acknowledged that the VIP cops caught on camera brutally assaulting unarmed motorists were assigned to him. National Police Commissioner Lt General Fannie Masemola expressed that the behaviour exhibited by the officers is unacceptable and under investigation.
Also read: Driver Brutally Assaulted by Armed VIP Protection Officers in Viral Video Mistook it for a Hijacking
Ian Cameron, director of community safety at Action Society, criticised the delay in their arrest, emphasising that these officers should face charges for multiple offences. A video of the incident showed the officers assaulting men later identified as South African National Defence Force members.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has contacted the victims’ families to support them in filing charges. Efforts are also underway to engage their employers in assisting with the investigations.
Political parties and civic organisations demand the arrest and prosecution of the involved police officers.
Also read:
SAPS VIP Protection Unit Members Temporarily Removed for Assaulting Civilians
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