Johnathan Paoli
Following a public outrage, the four VIP Protection police officers caught on camera brutally kicking, punching and stomping on SANDF members on the side of the road were served with notices of suspension, SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said.
Mathe said the conduct of the policemen is unacceptable, adding that a case has been opened. They face charges of assault, pointing a firearm and malicious damage to property.
Mathe, who on Tuesday said that an internal investigation into the incident was underway confirmed that the police successfully traced the victims of the incident and in the process obtained their statements as part of the probe.
“In terms of the disciplinary regulations they have been served with notices of the employer’s intention to suspend. They must provide representation why they should not be suspended under the circumstances. Representation will be considered and the outcome will be communicated to them.”
In a statement the ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party was extremely alarmed by the news of the road rage incident involving members of the SAPS assigned to protect members of cabinet.
“This was not only cowardly but runs against the grain of what the SAPS must stand for which is to protect all members of society. We believe that the majority of the police men and women serve our country diligently but that such incidents put a serious blight on the police service as a whole in their selfless national service to our country.
“We accordingly urge IPID to investigate this matter, that the alleged perpetrators of this violence be immediately suspended and ensure consequence management in this regard should they be found to be in the wrong.”
INSIDE POLITICS
