Cape Town – All eight officers from the police’s Presidential Protection Services (PPS) in Gauteng have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them assaulting individuals on the N1 highway, police confirmed on Monday.
“All eight police officers that were involved in the N1 assault case have been suspended in terms of the Saps disciplinary regulations as of Monday, 10 July 2023. The Saps wishes not to discuss the matter further,” police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
N1 ASSAULT UPDATE: All eight police officers that were involved in the N1 assault case have been suspended in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations as of Monday, 10 July 2023. The SAPS management wishes not to discuss the matter further.
— Athlenda Mathe (@AthlendaM) July 10, 2023
The officers, who were part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s security detail, reportedly claimed that the men they assaulted interfered with their work by attempting to get close to Mashatile’s vehicle, News24 reported.
However, the police management did not accept their version of events, according to sources.
The officers were given notices of suspension last week and were required to provide an explanation as to why they should not be suspended.
A video of the incident captured the officers kicking and assaulting the victims before leaving them on the ground.
These are apparently VIP protection cops…happened in JHB. pic.twitter.com/fgSNNpyK7s
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 3, 2023
The Independent Investigative Directorate is currently investigating the matter.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
