SAPS Suspends Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP Protection After Assaulting Civilians
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended Vice President Paul Mashatile’s VIP Protection unit, which recently assaulted civilians.
Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection stoked fury online after a video of them badly attacking civilians went viral earlier this week. The six members of the VIP protection unit were armed and travelling in convoy.
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How Paul Mashatile’s VIP Protection Thumped Civilians
They stopped and dragged three men out of a blue VW Polo, kicked and stomped on their heads, leaving one of them unconscious on the side of the road.
The victims were revealed to be military police trainees from the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), who were undergoing their training in Pretoria.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the incident and has interviewed the victims and their family members. The National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola condemned the incident and said that the officers involved will be subjected to internal processes.
SAPS Suspends Deputy President’s Violent VIP Protection
After a series of investigations by IPID on the assault incident by the VIP protection unit, the South African Police Service has now suspended the six after the violent N1 outburst.
Newzroom Afrika reported that the men have since been served with letters of suspension.
“Not Enough!”
South Africans on social media expressed mixed emotions as the South African Police Service (SAPS) suspended the police protection unit for assaulting civilians and leaving one for dead.
Mfulo:
“Serves them well.”
Xuffler:
“Suspension is not enough 🤷🏿♂️ they committed a crime! They must be arrested.”
David:
“Just a suspension? Was this not an assault? No arrest, just a suspension? Are they above the law, or South Africa is lawless?”
Ntsapho:
“Knowing how our government works, especially SAPS, this is just for the media. Those guys will get their jobs back once this story does out.”
Khumbudzo:
“Suspension with full pay. Yeah, right, that’s enough justice for the barbaric SAPS officers who nearly killed people. 🚮🚮”
David:
“They should be charged, sentenced and out in prison. They’ll be able to carry out their VIP protection duties in prison once the corrupt ANC leaders join them behind bars.”