Popcru welcomes Mashatile protectors’ SAPS acquittal

The officers were part of the VIP Protection Unit of Deputy President Paul Mashatile and were caught on camera assaulting a civilian next to the N1 in Johannesburg in July 2023.

Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo says the officers' acquittal reaffirms the union's belief in the principle of due process.

"The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union welcomes the acquittal of the eight members of the Presidential Protection Unit, who have endured undue public vilification while subject to the legal process.

"This judgment reaffirms our belief in the principle of due process, which must be upheld regardless of public opinion or media pressure."

At the same time, the union has called on Parliament to consider removing the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron.

"Cameron’s behaviour is reckless and unethical, especially as these officers have been cleared of wrongdoing through due process. Who is he to undermine proper labour processes or question the findings of the courts? His statements are deeply disturbing, and we will not stand quietly by and allow his behaviour to go unchecked," said POPCRU President, Thulani Ngwenya.

"We therefore call on the Parliamentary Ethics Committee to investigate these remarks and take appropriate disciplinary action. Further, we urge Parliament to consider removing Mr. Cameron from the chairpersonship of the Police Portfolio Committee, as he has demonstrated a clear inability to execute his duties with impartiality and integrity."

Cameron has described their acquittal as shameful, indefensible and immoral.

"The acquittal of the members is not only a miscarriage of justice but also puts the name and image of the SAPS into disrepute. Furthermore, this decision strengthens the public perception of SAPS officers being and acting above the law. This decision lacks legal and moral justification and should be reconsidered", he said.

"With the worsening trust deficit between the police and communities, such decisions will further erode the low levels of trust that exist between the police and the people. Moreover, the ruling entrenches the long-held committee’s view that internal disciplinary mechanisms within SAPS are inadequate and rewards rogue officers."

Cameron added that the decision will further cement the public’s perception of a complete disregard for consequence management within the SAPS.

"This decision sends the wrong message to all South Africans about the lack of recourse when SAPS members abuse their authority. It also portrays a SAPS that lacks compassion and care for victims of abuse; one that is preoccupied with protecting each other and not the citizens.

"This was not due process, but weaponised bureaucracy funded by taxpayers. What is even more infuriating is that the SAPS paid an amount of over R112,000 just for the chairperson’s expense, which should be classified as fruitless and wasteful expenditure."

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