Mbalula: Thorough investigation needed into blue lights assault
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has urged the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to thoroughly probe into the assault of motorists by Deputy President Paul Mashatile's bodyguards.
Four VIP Protection Unit officers have been served with letters of suspension shortly after footage emerged of a group of heavily-armed men dragging and repeatedly kicking three people.
The incident is said to have happened on the N1 in Johannesburg at the weekend.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said on Wednesday that the officers will be given an opportunity to defend themselves before a final decision is made.
“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”.
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Speaking at a briefing on the outcomes of the ANC national working committee meeting on Wednesday, Mbalula said the incident is a blight on the whole police service.
“The ANC was extremely alarmed by the news of the road rage incident involving members of the SAPS assigned to protect the Deputy President. This was not only cowardly but runs against what SAPS stands for, which is to protect all members of society.
“We urge IPID to investigate this incident as a matter of urgency.”
Mbalula also said the NWC welcomed the public protector's report into the Phala Phala saga.
Last week, the acting public protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka cleared President Cyril Ramaphosa of any wrongdoing in her final report into the theft of millions worth of foreign currency at his private farm in 2020.
“The ANC welcomes the Public Protector report, which found nothing untoward in the conduct of the president, including the fact that there was no evidence of paid work outside his duties as President of the Republic”.
“The ANC reiterates its alarm at the attacks on the integrity of the Office of the Public Protector, merely because some disagree with the report by the acting PP. We view such attacks as undermining our democracy and constitutionalism.”
