The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating allegations of assault against members of the Protection Security Services unit in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
IPID Executive Director Dikeledi Jennifer Ntlatseng received a complaint from Members of Parliament Andrew Whitfield and Ockert Terreblanche regarding an incident of assault that took place on the N1 North, within the precinct of the Sandton Police station.
A video of heavily armed SAPS officers assaulting a Gauteng motorist and two others has been circulated on social media.
The footage showed members of SAPS assaulting the driver of a VW Polo and his passengers in Gauteng.
Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Community Safety Portfolio Committee, Bandile Masuku, condemned the violent behaviour of the South African Police Service (SAPS) officers seen in the viral videoe.
On Monday evening, a video surfaced on social media allegedly depicting members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection unit – who form part of SAPS – assaulting fellow motorists on the N1 North, in Gauteng.
“We welcome the initiative by SAPS management to further investigate the matter. We also call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to conduct its own investigation and bring to book those found in transgression of the SAPS code of conduct in this regard,” he said.
Masuku condemned the behaviour of the officers and cautioned that such behaviour creates a trust deficit between communities and law enforcement.
“There is no gainsaying that SAPS officers should always maintain the highest standard of integrity and conduct themselves in a professional manner – striving to serve the public with dignity. This is important as a driver of public trust and confidence in the work of SAPS,” he said.
SAPS VIP unit N1 Fourways .. absolutely Shocking 🤬🤬🤬🤬 pic.twitter.com/9LUyXlIKHT
— kakspotter 🇿🇦 (@kakspotter) July 3, 2023
IPID investigators have already been in contact with family members of the victims so that they could be assisted in laying charges.
“Engagements are underway to also get the employers of the victims to assist with the investigations. IPID has already engaged SAPS management who are offering their full cooperation as far as the IPID investigation is concerned,” IPID said in a statement.
The police said they have established that the two black BMW X5s captured in the viral video were indeed owned by the SA Police Service. After allegedly assaulting the victims, the VIP officers got back into three black BMW SUVs and sped off.
Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has condemned the behaviour of the police officers.
“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner. Such action cannot be condoned regardless of the circumstance,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
Related: Video: Blue Light Bullies NOT Above the Law | The Time to Arrest ‘Blue Light Bullies’ is NOW | Deputy President Paul Mashatile on incident involving his VIP Protection service | Gauteng Legislature condemns blue light attack
CommandX
\”Reeeelly??\” says Van.
\”Ja\”, says the larnie. \”Check, there\’s someone up front now, I\’ll show you!\”
He starts steering towards the pedestrian, grinning from ear-to-ear, then at the last second he swerves back onto the road. But he hears a terrific \’thud\’, and he glances left to see Van closing the door.
\”What the hell, man!\’ he shouts.
\”Jirrah\” says Van, \”You need to get those sights adjusted, china, If I hadn\’t opened the door, you would have missed him completely!\”
Crash Enforcer
Fundi – expert or teacher [foon-di] A term derived from the Nguni tribe, used to describe someone who is an expert at something.Example: “He’s a fundi at that!”