Cape Town – Eight Presidential Protection Services (PPS) police officers, who were captured on video assaulting people on the N1 highway in Gauteng, have reportedly been arrested.
According to News24, Seven of them turned themselves in to the Sandton police on time, while the eighth member arrived 30 minutes later.
“The men were told to hand themselves in to the Sandton police at 15:00 on Sunday.
“Seven of the eight arrived on time, with the eighth member coming in at 15:30,” the report said.
The officers are accused of assault, malicious damage to property, and pointing a firearm.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, confirmed the arrests and said that all eight officers have been suspended.
I will do everything in my power to ensure that these Blue Light Bullies are brought to book. I have already engaged the Executive Director of IPID and will be demanding that Minister Cele ensure SAPS arrest these thugs within 24 hours. pic.twitter.com/n1PaOAXcin
— Andrew Whitfield, MP (@andrewhitfield) July 3, 2023
The case is reportedly 70 to 80% complete, and IPID believes it is a strong case.
One of the accused officers was not well after being involved in a car accident and had been hospitalised for a few days, Ipid said.
The accused officers are set to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Last week, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola confirmed that the eight were still receiving their full salaries.
According to EWN, Masemola said it was standard procedure for suspended members to continue receiving their salaries, as per an agreement made at the Bargaining Council.
“Yes, the members have to be suspended with a salary. For us, everybody who gets suspended goes on suspension with a salary. It’s an agreement that has been made at the Bargaining Council. They can’t be treated differently than others,” the report quoted him as saying.
Earlier this month, a viral video that showed the security personnel assigned to Deputy President Paul Mashatile beating and kicking two men near the N1 highway went viral on social media.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@IanCameron23
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
