SAPS VIP Protection Unit That Allegedly Beat Up 3 Men Were Assigned to Paul Mashatile, Mzansi in Disbelief

• The office of Deputy President Paul Mashatile has confirmed that the SAPS VIP protection unit that attacked civilians was part of his security detail
• The horrific incident occurred on the N1 in Johannesburg and has since gone viral on social media
• The new details of the case are raising more questions, and some people want to know where the minister was when the assault occurred

JOHANNESBURG - New information revealed that the SAPS VIP protection unit caught on camera beating three men on the N1 near Fourways, Johannesburg belonged to Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The deputy president's spokesperson confirmed the incident over the weekend and said Mashatile "abhors" the actions of his security detail.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile wants the police to investigate the brutal assault of motorists

Read also

Arsonists torch 6 trucks, resulting in closure of N3 toll route, Mzansi shocked by "barbaric" incident

According to a statement issued by Mashatile's spokesperson, the deputy president called on the public to allow the police to investigate the incident, reports SABC News.

Mashatile's spokesperson added that the DP has confidence in the police to do the right thing.

"The deputy president has full confidence in the SAPS under Minister Bheki Cele and the command of General Fannie Masemola to the right thing," read part of the statement.

There is no indication of whether the deputy president was in any of the vehicles driven by his protection detail at the time of the brutal assault of the three motorists.

VIP protection unit involved in the alleged assault of three men identified

According to TimesLIVE, members of Mashatile's protection detail have been identified, and the police have also tracked and traced the victims.

Read also

SAPS gives over R60M to empower community members to fight crime, SA police commissioner hopes to inspire volunteers

The publication notes that the Volkswagen vehicle the victims were travelling in belonged to a 31-year-old from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal.

Earlier, police asked the victims to come forward and give their accounts of what happened on the N1 highway.

Crime and security expert speaks on the conduct of VIP protection unit officers

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, criminology and security expert Tiniyiko Ngoveni from the University of South Africa (UNISA) stated despite the conduct of Mashatile's security detail, the VIP unit is necessary given the high crime rates in South Africa.

"Government officials under VIP protection is a worldwide phenomenon, therefore, we cannot ignore it at the moment, especially taking into consideration that South Africa is volatile and complimented by high crime volume," said Ngoveni.

However, Ngoveni highlighted that while they may be necessary, they are also indirectly given a licence to victimise civilians because their misconduct can be fixed with a lawsuit.

Read also

Shoprite Usave manager killed during store robbery, crooks stole braai packs and R650 leaving Mzansi angry

"The lawsuits that are covered by the government to the victims contribute to the harassment of civilians by SAPS, same as other government officials who behave unethically, taking advantage of using state resources to challenge the law," added Ngoveni.

To see tangible change in the conduct of the police and reduce police brutality, Ngoveni stated that accountability is key in these instances.

Ngoveni stated that if officers are found to have been negligible in their conduct, then they need to be held accountable in relation to the lawsuits brought forward by civilians.

South Africans react to new details in assault scandal

@MalatjieKholo said:

"I may be wrong, but DP could've seen everything happening."

@mani_monwabisi said:

"Barbaric, they should be prosecuted and jailed."

@KeithWilkie10 said:

"Gangsters take their lead from their boss."

@Thabo_Tshaba said:

"Read this statement twice, my question now is, after this “investigation”, will the people who were assaulted receive an apology? Or something."

Read also

SA spends R1.9b on VIP protection police for government officials, civil society groups want unit disbanded

@GenduToit said:

"So if he wasn't in that convoy, what gave them the right to behave like that? Who's life was in danger that warranted brutally kicking an unconscious man? I am sure this is not their first time behaving like this, just the first time they have been caught on camera."

Police search for 3 men allegedly assaulted by SAPS VIP protection on N1 in Joburg, video goes viral

Briefly News earlier reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Johannesburg is looking for three men who were allegedly brutally assaulted by several SAPS VIP protection unit members.

The assault was caught on camera and has since gone viral.

The viral video shows several SAPS VIP protection unit members carrying guns. One man was dragged out of the car, and others were brutally assaulted.

Source: Briefly News