Deputy President Paul Mashatile has admitted that the South African Police Service (SAPS) officers who are seen in a video viciously attacking civilians are attached to his VIP protection unit.
Mashatile’s office confirmed in a media statement that the deputy president became aware of the incident and condemned any unnecessary use of force against unarmed civilians.
The video of the incident went viral on social media. In the video, Mashatile’s VIP protection officers can be seen alighting from two black BMW X5s and dragging a man, assumed to be the driver, out of his blue VW Polo before they viciously attacked him.
National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola said a thorough internal investigation into the incident had been launched.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“The deputy president appeals to the public to allow the SAPS the necessary space to complete its investigation into the incident and take whatever corrective action is deemed necessary. The deputy president has full confidence in the SAPS under the leadership of Minister Bheki Cele and the command of General Masemola to do the right thing in this regard.”
The victims of the unfortunate incident were successfully traced by the police on July 3.
“The SAPS have since successfully traced the victims of this incident. The process to obtain their statements continues as part of the probe. The police officers involved have also been identified and will be subjected to internal processes. Management of the SAPS views this as serious and will get to the bottom of this incident,” said police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
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