Cape Town – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has reportedly confirmed that cases containing three charges were opened on Tuesday against the members of the police’s VIP unit who assaulted motorists in Gauteng at the weekend.
IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said three charges to be investigated were assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, and pointing of a firearm, News24 reported.
The case was opened on Tuesday night, Raburabu said.
Earlier, reports said that four members of the VIP protection unit had been suspended following a viral video showing them allegedly assaulting three unarmed men, according to police confirmation.
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The incident involved more than six members of the VIP protection unit assigned to deputy president Paul Mashatile.
The victims’ vehicle was boxed in by several SUVs on the N1 highway, and the assailants attempted to smash the windscreen before assaulting the occupants, Times Live reported.
One of the victims appeared to be rendered unconscious during the attack.
The video showed a group of armed men who were travelling in a convoy, assaulting the occupants of a blue Polo.
The officers then return to their vehicles and drive away, leaving the driver motionless on the ground.
A woman filming the incident expresses concern for the victims’ safety.
Meanwhile, the ANC has condemned the assault on the motorists and called for harsh steps to be taken against members of the VIP Protection Unit.
Mbalula described the actions of the SAPS bluelight members as brutal and unnecessary.
“Let’s say that somebody had died. Those police officers must account for their actions. Those incidents are very, very bad, especially to unarmed people being kicked like footballs like that.”
[WATCH] ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the assault of civilians by Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security detail puts a serious blight on the police service as a whole. He calls on IPID to thoroughly investigate the matter.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/wBKRky2tw0
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 5, 2023
While condemning the assault, Mbalula also suggested that an assessment should be made to determine if the motorists posed a threat to the deputy president.
“There should be serious aggravating circumstances that leads somebody to act in the manner in which they did.”
He criticised those who blamed Deputy President Paul Mashatile for the incident.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
