Mashatile VIP bodyguards suspended amid outrage over assaults
Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP bodyguards have been suspended.
They were served with letters of suspension shortly after footage emerged of a group of heavily-armed officers from the police’s VIP Protection Unit dragging and repeatedly kicking three people on the N1 in Johannesburg.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s spokesperson Robbie Raburabu confirmed to Jacaranda FM News that the victims are military trainees.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the officers will be given a chance to defend themselves before making a final decision.
“They must provide representations as to why they should not be suspended under the circumstances. Their representations will be considered, and the outcome will be communicated to them”.
“As management, we do not condone such behaviour regardless of the circumstances and no amount of provocation can lead to such behaviour and we are moving with speed to address this unacceptable behaviour”.
Meanwhile, the South African Defence Union is ready to assist the victims after confirming they were military personnel.
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